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echantedtoon · 1 year ago

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Love Doesn't Do Encores Ch26 The Semifinals

(See if you can spot the Juno song reference. The song lyrics Piers and Marnie sings is from Feel Invincible by Skillet. Link to the song is below. Also apologies for this taking so long to get out, it's a lot longer than other chapters so it took while. ALSO IMPORTANT! What do you guys want to see Piers and the reader do for Christmas??)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9NSd_2avA

What felt like a dream was really two days that went by fast. The first day was mostly missed because you fell asleep a little bit after you all got on the train, having been exhausted still from the previous day from all the hard lifting, deep cleaning, and staying up late to pack everything up for your trip in the early morning, AND having been woken up very early in the morning to catch the train. You had fallen asleep just a few minutes after sitting down holding your bag with Silver inside in your lap before waking up around near the end of the day. Thankful the others had just let you sleep for a while. The second day went by as usual and you all were back to traveling as you usually did on these trains. At least it wasn't high in the sky with the windows open like in those Corviknight taxies. Well two days turned into three and three turned into day four as the lot of you were sitting there. Hop was sitting next to you on his phone as you chewed on some kind of trail mix energy bar made of oats and berries to satisfy your hunger. Silver poked his head out from the bag and feeling generous you let him have the rest of the bar before he disappeared back into your bag. You yourself had just been sitting there until Hop finally spoke up.

"We're finally headed to Wyndon!,'' Hop cheered spooking you for a moment blinking as he continued looking at Gloria, "There's a lot I want to check out there! There's that big tower and the monorail and Wyndon Stadium! Where the whole of Galar....No. The whole world is gonna be watching us!! You get it, right? You and me are gonna make our match the greatest match that ever was!!"

"HECK YEAH!," Gloria agreed totally fist pumping with him!

"What's Wyndon City like anyways?" You couldn't remember it too well from the games.

"Oh! Here!'' Answering your question Hop quickly took his phone and you watched patiently as he tapped the screen a few times before turning it to you and the picture on the screen was what looked like a town square with a corviknight statue. "This is the entrance to Wyndon City! It's the largest City in Galar at five hundred miles and where most of the operations of the League ensue." Five hundred miles!? That was just a little bigger than New York City! He swiped to the next picture which was the base of some building. "And that's Mr. Rose's tower! Where most of the companies he manages operates." Another swipe and this time it was of a GIANT pink stadium! Jeepers! If you thought the Motostoke Stadium was large then Wyndon Stadium was GIGANTIC!! Definitely the kind of stadium a giant city would have. "And that's Wyndon Stadium where the top Challenger will battle against all the gym leaders and then hopefully the Champion!"

"What happens when the top Challenger loses to one of the gym leaders?," you asked as Hop pulled his phone away.

"Then they're out of the challenge for good. And then whoever gym leader wins gets to Battle Lee for the title. And THAT has always been Raihan...And Kabu once I think. And they've always lost to Leon anyways."

Ah! So Gloria would have to remake her way through all the gym leaders again! That part you did remember about the game...Still. You couldn't shake the feeling that you were forgetting something very VERY important..Oh well. No matter anyways. Your journey was almost over anyways.....And somehow that still didn't make you any happier. Well soon after four days turned into seven days and it reached December Twenty Second. And early in the cold morning you were sound asleep leaning against the window clutching silver in your bag when you were again all of a sudden shaken awake roughly by the others for you to get up and reluctantly you did..Again. The sun wasn't even out at this time which meant it must've been very early morning again. You were barely able to heave the heavy bag over your shoulders as the three of them ushered you out the door and into the cold. The feeling of the frost and still falling snow hitting your face immediately made you jolt wide awake now going through the standard train station and then out the doors into a winter wonderland outside. You ended up shivering and pulling your hood over your head, tucking your hair into the hood with it. The others were all bundled up as well looking around as the fairly still early dark morning still blocked their view. Click! You blinked and held up your hand to your eyes as a sudden light hit you all in the form of Victor's flashlight. He shined it around you all before it landed on a road sign with the number ten.

"So this is Route Ten?," Hop asked seeing the sign through the snowflakes dropping, before looking up the path and the faint hill you'd all have to walk on, "It's like a wall made out of snow! Bet there'll be Ice Type pokemon crawling out of the woodwork in a place like this!" He turned back to Gloria. "Come on, Glory! Reckon we'll be able to train ourselves up to new heights here before the Champion Cup starts? "

Gloria nodded gazing through her scarf covered face at the hill. "Sure will. If we don't turn into icicles first."

"I believe in myself and the pokemon on my team, and I know we'll get loads stronger. So....." He smugly smiled before giving Gloria a playful push before running off. "I'm off! See you in Wyndon, Mate!"

..And Gloria ran off after him again into the dark snow. "HEY!! GET BACK 'ERE!!"

.....!?

You felt a sinking feeling in your guts watching them disappear into the darkness. "HEY!! YOU TWO COME BACK HERE!!"

You and Victor caught up to them half way up the hill as they heaved for breathed winded up running uphill through the snow. Victor scolding them before leading the way with his flashlight. By now it must've been at least six something in the morning. Your feet felt like they were weighed down with heavy blocks of ice as you trudged uphill through the snow, the lights of the train station disappeared downhill and through all the snow coming down. You shivered and rubbed at your arms trying to warm yourself up. Hopefully Silver is warm in that large backpack of yours. You all walked and walked up hill breathing heavily, as the sky slowly changed from dark to just cloudy with snow clouds and snow continuing to fall down around you. Up and Up and up you all climbed....before getting to the very top and the sight astonished you. From at the top of the hill you all looked out at the sight of a GIANT brick wall going as far as the eye could see. The horizon blocked off my what must've been hundreds of skyscrapers and some kind of spiraling tower. IT. WAS. HUGE!! A real city alright! From your place upon the giant hill you could see all the shiny buildings lit up in the early winter morning light making it look almost heavenly. It was beautiful.

"All right! Wyndon City!," Hop suddenly cheered pointing to it, ''This is the place where I become a legend at last!! You get it don't you, Mate?" He asked turning his head to Gloria again. "After all I'm about to become the new Champion of the Galar Region! That's it! I'm headed straight for Wyndon Stadium!!" He exclaims started to trudge through the snow again. "C'mon! Don't waste too much time, Glory! You should head there yourself!"

"OH RIGHT!!" Gloria suddenly started trudging carefully down hill behind him. "We have to register before tomorrow!''

"Tomorrow?," you asked following after them.

Gloria nodded in front of you. "Tomorrow's the Challenger Matches ta see who gets ta be the one to compete in the Champion Cup on the Thirty First o' this year! They wanna decide the winnin' challenger before Christmas! That's the day after tomorrow!"

" If we don't register before today's over we'll be considered forfeit!," Hop added.

Oh. Well that WAS a problem. You four ran down hill through the snow trying not to fall over which was hard for you and Victor having heavier bags than the rest of your group. The closer you came the BIGGER the brick walls were. These walls were at least four times taller than the walls of Hammerlocke! The first one to reach the entrance was Obviously Hop, followed by Gloria as the two disappeared through the entrance, followed by you and Victor breathing heavily from the cold and crisp air. Through the archway you four went and stopped on the other side and stared at what astonished you.

"Holy SMOKES!!"

IT WAS MASSIVE!! The city square was just like in the picture Hop showed you days earlier, but all covered in Snow that continued to fall around you. ...And REALLY NOISY!! The square in front of you had the corviknight statue surrounded by smaller bird pokemon statues, Loads of tall houses with Sky scraped seen towering further behind them, at least five streets leading off into even more streets, a faint train sounding off somewhere, and LOTS of black dots flying through the sky. You had to squint through the snow to see but it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out they were Corviknight Taxies. At least ten to fifthteen of them at the moment flying about above you- MMMUUURRRFFF!! You yelped when Gloria suddenly pulled you back and you realized why when a MASSIVE horse-..Er. Horse looking pokemon walked right in front of you carrying at least four people all bundled up in winter wear as you stared. The orange and black horse pokemon shook it's tail as it trotted past, some kind of collar and logo around it's neck, as it passed.

"Hey. Isn't that a mudsdale?," you asked gesturing to it as it walked away down a specifically marked lane. Like a bicycle lane.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT!!" You turned to Victor. "Wyndon City's the biggest one in all of Galar. That means they have more than one transport systems here."

You blinked. "Really? What kinds?"

Victor gestured to the retreating mudsdale. "There's the subways and train cars, and of course regular cars. But those are used more further into the city where there's MUCH more people. But there's trained musdales and taxies that can take you around some parts of the city too. In fact they're some of the most popular transportations. Other than the monorail of course. It's all in part of the effort of combating the energy crisis."

Well that was certainly a way to do it! Hop pointed forward. "Come on! The first thing we should do is head to the stadium! The sooner we sign in the more time we'll have to explore the city! We might even see Lee here! All participants in the Champion Cup are supposed to be here before tomorrow!"

You nodded at the idea. "Great!" Your f/c eyes scanned around the place through the snowflakes. "So uh...Which way to the stadium?"

Everyone paused.."Uh...I'm not sure." Hop lowered his hand also looking around. "Never been here before so I'm not sure where to start."

"I think I've got an idea!" Smiled beamed gesturing her hand over on the other side of the square and you four looked over to where she was-....OH NO!! Sitting there near an alley was a parked taxi and a corviknight who cawed out before unfurling his massive wings to flap and shake all the loose snow off of him that had fallen over his ink black body. "How 'bout we jus' catch a cab there instead of wonderin' about like a couple headless pelippers?"

"Glory you're a genius!" Hop quickly agreed before making a 'follow me' motion. "C'mon! If Lee's here then we might be able to catch up to him!"

You didn't want too but reluctantly followed with a groan. You hated heights! Hopefully this'll take just a small trip. Whelp! Thirty minutes later with you death gripping your bag to yourself all buckled up and cold wind hitting your face, with the others looking out the windows in amazement at the city (you couldn't bring yourself to look outside until you landed), you all finally landed with a thud outside a VERY VERY BIG pink building. As you all filed out,(you will wobbling noodle legs like after every other time you get into these darn taxies-) you noticed that there was a whole lot of stands being set up around you all leading up to the entrance to the building which caused a shadow to fall around almost everyone.

"...Hey, what's all of those for?"

Hop hummed looking around. "They must be setting up some merchandise stalls to sell things before the semifinals tomorrow." He pointed out one particular stall towards the right with a blue and white them. "Looks like Nessa's selling some of her brand items this year too. Pretty good last minute Christmas present. C'mon Glory." He nodded to Gloria. "Let's go in and sign in real quick."

"I'll stay here." Victor retreated further into his coat with a sour look. Oh right. Your forgot he hated the colder weather. "I wanna take some pictures o' the stadium and stands. 'sides we're not allowed in unless we're registered challengers." He had a good point. You guys weren't probably allowed in unless you worked for the league or were a challenger. "Hurry up n' t-t-then come back as fast as ye can! I wanna get ta the hotel as soon as possible!"

The two nodded and off they ran towards the stadium up the many stairs. You opted for getting back into the taxi to wait for the two. And after Victor took a nice round of shots, he also joined you in the taxi to await Hop and Gloria's return. Both of you all bundled up as best as you could waiting in the cold before they FINALLY returned. Both bounded over towards the taxi and got it, Gloria asking the driver to take them to The Rose of Rondelands. You didn't know what that was but it sounded fancy. Regripping the seats as you took off you opted to talk to Hop sitting next to you, to distract you from the high distance.

"S-So how'd it go?"

"I'm all sorted and ready to battle Gloria on the biggest stage of them all! We saw Marnie in there too. It looked like she was waiting for someone."

"Really?"

He nodded. "But it looks like Bede couldn't make it. Hard luck. Somehow I didn't think he'd just take being disqualified lying down. You know what I mean? I guess it is what it is." He smiled. As if the thought of Bede not coming around (Gloria-) you all pleased him, and you had a feeling why. But little did he know Bede would be making at least one other performance soon.

"Oh, I wouldn't put it past him not showing up just yet," you said in a casual way, "You know. We went through a whole lot of surprises this year. And the event isn't until tomorrow right? There's still time for him to make an appearance."

Hop hummed but you could tell he didn't like the idea from the frown formed on his face. As the corviknight flew you all eventually landed in front of a LARGE and FANCY looking building. Piling out you looked up at it and followed the three on into the building. The inside lobby was MASSIVE and fancier than the inside. Golden accents decorated most of the things around you all with the floor so polished you could see your reflections in it but the warm air from the place was more than welcome to your cold skin. Passing all the fancy furniture you all approached the front desk as the man behind it smiled.

"Welcome to the Rose of Rondelands, Ladies and Gentlemen," he greeted the four of you with a big smile, "Here we pride ourselves on offering five star service that is beloved throughout the world. How may I help you this fine day?"

"We would like two rooms for the night please?," Hop asked.

The man smiled more. "But of course! Say. Would any of you fine folks be registered for the semifinals tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Two of us actually. Why?"

"Oh! Marvelous! Then we might've been expecting you two!" You all exchanged confused glances as the man hummed a cheery tune and opened a book in front of him on the desk. He skimmed through it a bit flipping some pages before stopping at one. "Ah. Here we are. Challenger Reservations bought and paid for by the Marco Cosmos company for Challengers Three and Four. Names marked as a Ms. Gloria and Mr. Hop with extended company. We've been awaiting your arrival here. Provided you are the people who are listed here?"

"Really!? That's great!"

"Indeed. But I'll have to ask for identification please. Can't have anyone swindling free rooms now." Understandable. You waited patiently as Gloria and Hop went digging through their packs and pulled out their league cards to show the front desk man. After confirming that it was them the man handed the two back their league cards with a smile. "It's all cleared!" With a snap of his fingers a young woman with blonde hair stood up with a smile. "I'll have Daisy escort you all to your rooms."

You all followed the woman into one of the golden doored elevators and up, up, up you all went to nearly the top floor. But instead stopped at the twelveth floor. When the doors opened back up you four followed the woman down the long, long fancy looking hallway and stopped at a door presenting it to you and Gloria and the one across the hall from you as Hop and Victor's. You went inside and it was BIG!! You looked around the fancy looking single room with soft rugs, a giant window view, queen sized bed, fancy furniture including a golden chandelier, AND A LITERAL FIREPLACE!! A small fire was safely inside it behind safety bars giving the room a cozy holiday feel contrasted to the snow still falling down outside. Gloria had the same 'WOW!' look you had as you all looked around the room before her eyes landed on a small gift basket filled with goodies she bounded over too.

"Look at this!," she called over to you and held up the pretty looking basket to you, "Complimentary stuff too! This is shapin' up ta be a real sweet deal!"

You nodded. "Sure will!" You smiled at your reflection in the mirror as the snow continued to fall. It would be fun. You'd get to spend the last nine days left of the year until the thirty first when Gloria won the championship match and you got to go back to your mother. ....And her rules. ..And a college degree you didn't want now that you thought about it. You loved music but not the angle. Leaving your friends and Silver behind- CHIRP!? You blinked and looked down only to find two eyes peeping out of the bag staring at you. Silver squirmed around in your bag obviously wanting out. "Oh sorry!" You quickly placed the bag down and out crawled Silver in that little hoodie of his. Shaking himself out he looked around the place before stopping at you. "Glad to see you were ok."

"I can't wait for tomorrow!," turning your head you saw Gloria flopping herself down on the giant bed smiling. "Hop's gonna be bloody brilliant out there!"

You nodded again. "I'm sure both you guys and Marnie's going to be fantastic! I know it's still pretty early in the day today, but maybe we should have a small break before tomorrow."

Gloria nodded agreeing and held up something black. Took you a moment to realize that it was a TV remote. "Let's order some chow n' get some grub! I bet a lot of good flicks are on 'night!''

You agreed and let your worries melt away joining her in watching some movies and ordering some of the food from the hotel as the hours passed. Eventually hours passed as you enjoyed yourselves but soon the sky darkened and yawns were exchanged signally it was time to retire for the night. After all you both had a big day tomorrow. Retiring to sleep Gloria taking the bed and you once again resorting to your sleeping bag with Silver curled up next to you to await the following morning. Surprisingly you had no dreams that night as you slept before waking up to the sounds of Gloria walking around. Which was also surprising since you usually were such a heavy sleeper. With a yawn you pushed yourself up from the sleeping bag and blinking the blurry sleep away as Gloria paused in her movements of tying her boot noticing you had sat up.

"Mornin'!," she greeted with a smile.

You nodded back with a yawn stretching out your arms and back. "Good morning. What time is it?"

"Nearly seven thirty in the mornin'. The matches don't start till nine o'clock but you woke up before I could wake ye up myself. So it'll help save time."

"Oh yeah. The semifinals!" You blinked now moving to get up from the sleeping bag, stirring Silver to poke his head up with a curious noise at your movements. "Where's the others?"

"Waitin' for us in the lobby. There's already a taxi waitin' for us so ya better hurry!"

That got you to scramble up, almost tripping and falling on your face as you scrambled about. Throwing on your clothes and coat and quickly making yourself look presentable as fast as possible before rushing after Gloria who by now had finished tying on her boots, and was zipping up her own coat against the cold as she called out to you to hurry. With Silver scrambling at your heels you quickly ran out into the fancy hallway closing the door behind you. The three of you made your way to the fancy elevator and got in, Gloria pressing the bottom floor button and with a ding sound the doors slowly closed around you. It was a smooth trip down to the lobby and as soon as you stepped into said Lobby, it was easy to make out the two bundled up forms of the two boys. It was hard to miss with Victor bundled up more tighter than a lock, and Hop impatiently tapping his foot before seeing you two approach and perking up towards you both.

"There you are! We've been waiting all morning!," he said obviously nervous throwing his arms out towards the both of you. "The taxi's not gonna wait forever y'know!"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry," Gloria apologized. "But we're here now."

"Then we should leave now." Victor interrupted gesturing for all of you to go out to the awaiting taxi. "The sooner we get to the stadium the sooner we get back into somewhere warm."

You couldn't agree more. Bracing yourselves the four of you walked out towards the entrance. Silver gave off a noise when you all of a sudden picked him up and whilst carrying him shoved the small hoodie over his head to help keep him warm. If he was insisting on following you around then he was going to keep this on. Sure enough to their word there was a taxi waiting for you all in the parking lot the corviknight perched on top of the taxi and the driver turned towards your party as you all approached.

"Gym challengers?," He asked from his spot on top of the giant bird pokemon. With nods you all answered and he gestured to his pokemon. "I was sent by Mr. Rose to take you all to Wyndon Stadium. Hop on!"

Not wanting to stand out in the cold much longer, you all climbed in. First being Victor and then all of you. he wanted to quickly get out of the cold you guessed. As soon as you were all settled he took off. You gripped slightly harder onto Silver as he sat in your lap when you all took off and flown through the air with a giant caw from the corviknight. You hated this part of any journey and definitely wouldn't be missing THIS when you went back. You swore as long as you lived you'd NEVER live in any high places or took any airplanes anywhere!! It felt like an eternity when in reality it might've only been twenty to thirty minutes for you all to arrive at the stadium. And the first thing that hit you other than the sounds of the corviknight's wings and the whooshing air was the fact that there seemed to be the faint sound of something you've grown familiar too now. The sound of a GIANT crowd. Despite your better judgement, you dared to have yourself peek over the edge of the window....and your jaw dropped for two reasons. 1. YOU WERE SUPER FREAKING HIGH AND COULD BE DROPPED ANY MOMENT WHY DID YOU FORCE YOURSELF TO DO THIS OH GOD- 2. THERE WAS MUST'VE BEEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND ON THE STREETS LOOKING LIKE SWARMS OF TINY ANTS MAKING THEIR WAY TO WHERE YOU ASSUMED THE STADIUM WAS!! Slowly you retracted your head back in and leaned back firmly against the seat, getting a light feeling in your feet from what you just saw. Pleaselandsoonpleaselandsoonpleaselandsoon- You got your wish when the driver's voice back up.

"We'll be landing within the moment shortly!! Everyone please hang on!!"

You didn't have to be told twice as Silver gave off a loud noise as you suddenly pulled him to you upon decent, squeezing your eyes shut as you did. Feeling the sudden stoop the metal taxi gave as you felt it suddenly descend. YOU HATED THIS SO MUCH!! The sudden decent was all of a sudden stopped when the sound of a crowd suddenly got louder and with a loud metal thud and jolt you felt yourself be put back down on firm solid ground. THANK ARCEUS!! You wanted out as soon as you can so you made to stand quickly but surprisingly it wasn't you who excited the taxi first. With a gasp, Hop's eyes suddenly went wide as plates and a smile appeared. You've seen that smile before. He only smiled like that when he saw-

"LEON!!" Faster than you had EVER seen them move before Hop practically THREW himself out of the taxi, sending the door open with a loud metal slam followed shortly by Gloria and Victor. ....You blinked before shaking your head and looking out the window. And your eyes were met with a surprising sight. Right outside the taxi...was LEON!! The purple haired man was laughing all jolly and was hugging and ruffling the hair of the three younger kids who had run out to cling to him like he was Arceus himself in the flesh. Hop in particular was staring at his brother with glee in his eyes. "I knew we'd see you here sooner or later!! Did you come all the way here just to see us fight!?"

Leon gave off another loud but happy round of laughter and nodded firmly as you managed to slowly step out of the taxi at last. "Of course I did! I wouldn't miss watching you both battle for the world!"

You blinked and looked around you. You all were directly in front of the doors in front of the VERY big Wyndon Stadium. Around you all blocking the LARGE crowd of hundreds of people was more security making a space big enough for the taxi to land and made sure to keep the crowd of people pointing, shouting, or taking pictures of the Champion standing there as you blinked and looked around. Eventually slowly walking over to the small group with Silver still in your arms. You weren't really used to the loud sounds of a city yet, but it wasn't as loud as you expected. Yet at least. Faintly the merch stands in front of the stadium could be seen past the loads of people.

"Alright! I'm totally pumped n' ready for the show!," Hop confirmed holding up a fist to Leon who placed his hands on his hips raising a brow.

"Well then I suppose we should all head on in and get you set up! There's only an hour left until the semi finals start so it'll be a good idea for you two to on ahead and get ready."

"Right!" Hop turned to Gloria. "Come on, Glory. We should head to the locker rooms."

"I'd better go find a s-s-spot in the stadium," Victor added as his twin sister nodded and the two began rushing off towards the stairs. "S-S-So I c-can get some good pictures o-of t-their battles."

Victor blinked when Leon patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about that." Leon smiled widely. "You're being treated to the V.I.P lounge and watching the semifinals with me this year!"

Victor eyes widened as you smiled. Ah. That's the Leon you know. "No way! You're serious!?"

Leon chuckled and nodded. "Yep! I've already promised myself to make sure you three would experience a Champion Time and nothing can be more so than joining me to watch the matches. Besides, I couldn't let you sit out in the stadium knowing how much this isn't your type of weather."

"A-Alright! That sounds amazing!"

With a smile you turned towards the ever growing crowd yourself. There was TONS of people here. If you wanted to get a good seat you'd better go get one. "I think I'd better go and get a seat then." You finally spoke finally catching the attention of the Champion who perked up seeing you again. "Wouldn't want to miss out on seeing those two battle it out." Although you already knew who was going to win, you still wanted to be supportive and watch their matches, which meant getting a stadium seat before the giant crowd over took them all....Though Silver might not take the cold so well-

"Y/n!" You blinked snapping over to Leon who smiled back at you holding Silver. With a giant smile he gestured his hand out to you. "Wow! It's been such a long time! I see you've been taking care of that pokemon real well! He looks like a real healthy drizzle!"

....You smiled and nodded back. "Thanks. But he has a name now. Silver."

Leon blinked at Silver who chirped out an answer when you spoke his name. "Silver huh?...Hmm. I think that name suits him real well." he complimented you.

"Thanks. How have you been?" Your eyes scanned back over the crowd. "Seems you really stirred up quite the crowd."

He chuckled and waved a hand. "Well I do try to make everyone as happy as I can as Champion. OH! But while I have the chance, I also wanted to thank you for all the help you gave Mum. It can be a chore for her trying to do everything herself since Gran and Gramps aren't always in the best shape to help."

Your face gave a look of surprise for a moment. "Wha- How'd you know about that?"

"Hop and I talk to each other on the phone all the time. Same with Mum and I. They've all said some really good things about you and how helpful you were!"

"Hey! Why don't you come join us?," Leon offered have you stare at him taken aback.

Before you held up a hand. "What!? Oh no! Leon I couldn't ask that of you, you know that. It wouldn't be fair to everyone else around here." As if to get your point across you gestured to the crowd and Leon looked to where you were pointing. You didn't want to just take him up on his offer no matter how nice it was. It wasn't fair to everyone else who couldn't have this chance. "It's much appreciated though. It's fine really."

"But I insist." you paused as he turned back to you with a giant smile. You opened your mouth to protest but he held up a hand. "You've helped my mother a lot. You've helped to keep my little brother and his friends safe. And from what I've been told from the incidents in Stow-on-Side and Spikemuth, you've also risked your safety a few times as well to do so." You still stared at him as he returned his hand to his side. "Part of being a Champion is being able to know people. You've done a lot and haven't asked for anything in return or taken advantage of the fact you've been around my friends and family. That's the signs of a good person. And the least I can do to repay that kindness is making sure you have a Champion Time like the rest of us." He smiled friendly to you. "And I can promise that none of the others would mind either."

You rose a brow confused. "Others?"

He nodded. "All the gym leaders come to watch the semifinals and stay until the end of the year for the Champion Cup! And now I'm extending that invitation to you and Victor here. So how's about it?"

You hesitated for a moment. Wow..This was...REALLY nice for Leon to offer you, and you really did appreciate it. But...You didn't know. Was this allowed for him to do? After all it wasn't fair to everyone else. ...But then again, the warm air would probably be better for Silver instead of standing out in the cold, and it was offered to you when you didn't ask. So it would probably be ok to accept. Plus you might get to see some of the other guys you've met! Like Alister! And Nessa!

So after a moment you smiled. "You know what? I'd love to join you guys!"

Leon smiled widely. "Great!" With a turn he made a 'follow me' motion with his hand. "Follow me! You guys are gonna really like the view!"

Victor didn't need anymore encouragement to follow and after another look to the crowd, you followed behind them too. Leon walked right up to the doors with security and after telling them you both were with him, they let you pass and on into the warm stadium. THANK GOODNESS!! Victor gave a loud sigh at the feeling of warmth washing over him as you all continued to follow them along. The inside of the stadium looked exactly as you expected it would have, with lots of security running around with other workers carrying papers, or cleaning supplies, or something along those lines as you both followed Leon past the register desk and to an elevator. Once there he hit a button on the panel outside it and with a ding it opened. You both followed him in and after he hit another button from the inside, the door closed with a ding sound and up you three went. You looked around the small elevator as it went up, up, and up and it made you nervous for a little bit. Still a bit whiplashed from the wild ride here in the taxi. ...Wait...Did that mean Raihan was gonna be here too- Ding! You have a small jump at the ding the door gave and the door opened to a floor. As Leon stepped out you and Victor followed him again and when looking around, you noticed this floor had a hallway leading both ways with lots of doors on either side of them. More workers were there too walking up and down the halls as you followed the Champion, walking past you or going in or out of the many rooms. But you all were going to one room in particular. Leon lead you to one door that was being guarded by two security guys who instantly snapped their attention to both you and Victor behind Leon.

Leon waved them off with one hand and the other grabbed the doorknob as he turned back to both of you with a smile. "Are you two ready to get the best view in the whole stadium?" After receiving your enthusiastic replies he chuckled. "Well then welcome to the Gym Leader's Suite!" With one mighty push, Leon pushed the door open and walked right in. "Hey, Everyone." He called back into the room. "Sorry I'm late!"

"Leon. Don't tell me you got lost again! I thought one of us were gonna have to rescue you like last time.," came a woman's voice that sounded familiar from the inside, "I swear sometimes you're more confusing than a spinda."

You both slowly shuffled in as Leon chuckled a bit embarrassed. "C'mon, Nessa. That's a bit harsh." Shaking his head he smiled behind him as you brought up the rear. "I got a bit distracted on the way here and invited some friends over."

You stepped in and blinked at what you saw. The room you were all in was almost as big as Gloria's hotel room but less fancy. Warm thankfully, with some couches, a table with a few chairs, a big flat screen TV, and over in one corner was some kitchen stuff. By kitchen stuff there was a counter with a few cabinets, a sink, full sized fridge, microwave, and a coffee maker. And within the room around you was all ten gym leaders!! Ms. Opal was sitting at the table with a cup of presumed tea with Kabu who seemed to be meditating or asleep by the way he was just sitting there eyes closed and arms crossed. Gordie had been standing by the fridge leaning against the wall, but looked up from his drink when the door opened. Melony standing with him. Nessa sitting on the couch next to Bea, and across from them on the other couch was Raihan glancing at you with a surprised look with Alister sitting next to him on the opposite side of the couch. Milo was the closest one standing to you all looking to have been in the middle of eating some kind of doughnut in his hand when you walked in, and last but not least there was Piers. He had been the only one visibly standing and looking out the window as the stadium was filling up with people, but had side glanced over his shoulder just seeing Leon before turning back to the window before he could see you walk in behind him. Disinterested in whoever Leon brought with him. Oh if only he knew. And...HEY! It was the three trainers of Raihans. Sebastian, Camilla, and Aria. The triplets were encircled around the fridge most likely getting something to eat also.

''Good morning," Victor greeted politely and a bit more confidently than you as he waved. "It's really nice to meet all of you."

You were going to say hi as well. Most probably to Nessa since you've spoken to her before or maybe Ms. Opal and ask how Bede was doing. Or....maybe Raihan if you were feeling a bit more brave. But it was one soft voice that interrupted all thoughts.

"Y-Y/n."

A lot of everyone around you (you included-) looked surprised as ALLISTER of all people spoke out and you watched in surprise as he slowly scooted himself off the couch until his feet hit the floor. With a turn of his head towards you he slowly walked towards you...and you smiled. 'y/n. Piers instantly paused. His electric blue eyes going wide all of sudden...before he blinked and looked over his shoulder. And his brows instantly shot up upon seeing YOU of all people standing there next to Leon.....YOU!? HERE!? WHAT WERE YOU DOING BACK HERE?! WITH LEON!? HUH-

"Hey, Allister." You greeted and to everyone's surprise you instantly lowered yourself to sit on your knees finally placing Silver down to your side to be eye to eye with Allister. This seemed to make him more comfortable to talk with you as he slowly walked up to you now being closer to his height. "Wow. You look great! Did you grow taller from the last time I saw you?"

He instantly nodded his hands into fists in front of his chest. "Uh huh. L-Leon s-s-said I grew three inches this year!"

You gave a small gasp. "No! That's so cool! You're growing up fast. Soon you're going to be even taller than him."

"Y-You think so?"

You nodded again smiling wide. "Oh yeah. A big strong person like you? I bet you'll be the tallest person I know!"

That seemed to make him happy as he smiled from behind his mask at you before reaching around to his pokeballs. You watched patiently as he fumbled before holding up a pokeball. "I-I made a new f-f-f-friend! W-Would you like to meet him?"

Still smiling you nodded. "I would love to meet your friend, Allister." You gestured to Silver next to you who chirped when you acknowledged him. "I want you to meet my friend too. Allister this is Silver. He's been with me for a while now. Say hello, Sil."

In response Silver have off some kind of noise towards Allister who stared for a moment. "H-Hello..." Before turning back excitedly to you. "H-Here! Y-You're gonna really like him!" You knew that you would either way. Everyone was now staring at you two in surprise. Even Kabu had opened his eyes to peer over at what was going on. A flash of bright light from Allister gave way to something white, floating, and very pretty. And you smiled wider realizing what exactly what it was. Floating there by Allister in all it's white glory, was a Froslass. "I m-m-met him w-w-when it snowed by the stadium. He really likes playing hide and s-seek with us."

"Ooh. He's absolutely beautiful." You turned to the pokemon, and as if he was another human, you greeted him. "How do you do? It's very nice to meet you, Sir."

The pokemon blinked at you seeming to be taken a back a bit but made some noises while smiling proudly at itself. Allister slowly pointed at him. "H-He s-says you're v-very polite and i-it's n-nice to see s-s-someone recognize h-h-his looks."

You chuckled. "Well thank you! I'm glad he thinks so." Slowly you stood back up to stretch your legs still smiling. "I'm glad to see you're making new friends to play with. Are you here to watch the semifinals too?"

Allister nodded again before pointing over to the couch. "B-Bea's going to take me to the h-h-haunted houses in the c-c-city for Christmas."

You glanced from him to her and smiled. "Well doesn't that sound great!" You waved to her. "Hi. I don't think we've met. Or seen each other really."

Bea seemed to still be staring at you totally bewildered but it was nessa who spoke up next. "Oh yeah. I remember you." More surprised glances were sent between her and you as she gestured towards you. "You were Sonia's friend with the sobble! Er.." She glanced between you and Silver who shook off snowflakes. "Well, it looks like he's not too much of a sobble anymore."

You gave a couple laughs before reaching over to pat Silver's head. "Nope. My lil guy's practically all grown up now. Takes a lot of love and care and food, but Silver's worth it." You waved a hand to her. "But it's good to see you too Nessa. Hope things been well. My friend showed me your new line in the ads." You added remembering Gloria showing you a magazine with an article of her. "I really like the 'Sea Emerald Delight' dress."

She smiled your way before turning her gaze to Raihan who blinked at her. "I told you. Green dresses will look good on anyone all year round." the Dragon Gym leader rolled his eyes in response and stood up.

You also shook your head...but paused feelings eyes on you. And it wasn't just the others around the room. Your head turned over towards the windows and you paused seeing Piers staring right back mouth a bit agape, brows raised at you. You both stared at one another for a moment before you went back to smiling, crossed your arms, and rose a brow back.

"Hey, Hot Pink. Long time no see." You greeted taking a few steps towards him.

Leon stared for a long moment before leaning towards Victor. "Psst. Hey. Did she just use a nickname on Piers?"

Victor sighed before shaking his head. "I'll catch you up on everything later."

You stopped in front of Piers smiling and raising a brow. "You're here to watch Marnie compete right?"

Piers seemed to finally snap out of whatever surprised trance he was in when you stopped in front of him. "Uh..Y-Yeah!" he seemed to straighten up a bit going back to that blank neutral look. "Yeah. My whole team's 'ere to cheer her on."

"Ah." You nodded. "I'd expect nothing less from you all. It's real sweet of you to be here to support her." With a small smirk you asked. "So....Raihan tell you any interesting stories about me lately?"

Piers rose his brow at you for a moment.....before a smile split across his face and a small chuckle escaped from his throat. "Well I dunno." With a hum he faked thinking back and a hand came up and tapped his chin his eyes looking up. "A woman with a shiny drizzlie suddenly pullin' the hood-..I mean wool over Rai-Rai's eyes and then running off like a spooked rapidash. .... Nah." he looked back to you with that smile. "Must've been a different woman who told him to tell me hi."

You chuckled and you would've said something back if a voice didn't startle you. "Oh I'm sure it was her.~'' You jumped with a yelp and backed away from the taller guy that walked up to you two. Raihan smiled that fanged grin of his as you blinked at him. "You laughed for a whole half hour straight over the phone and then again when I told you about her guard-pokemon." His gaze shifted from Piers to you as you blinked. "Hey there, Sassy.~ Wasn't expecting you to come rolling up here with Lee! You have a knack for hanging out with famous people?"

You blinked a moment before raising a brow. "Not really. Leon just offered to be nice and I didn't want my water type out in the freezing weather."

"Aw. And here I thought you came all the way to see me.~" He faked sadness making you roll your eyes. Piers was interested in your interactions now, glancing between you both. "Y'know if you're free sometime that dinner date's still up for the taking!"

"No thanks."

"You never really gave it a thought? Really?" Raihan asked blinking surprised for a moment as you shook your head no before he smiled and leaned down closer to you making you lean back. "Well that's a first I've heard. Usually I'm something people can't get off their minds.~ You've certainly been on my mind for a while.~"

.......You reached for a nearby magazine. "Uh huh. I'm ....flattered I guess but dude. You might as well be flirting with a rock."

Behind you all Nessa gave a small snort which Bea slapped her shoulder. "Aw. I guess you're right. But I can see why Piers likes you a lot.~" He gave that smirk that could've made anyone swoon. You raised your magazine. "You're like a short cute firecracker making my heart explo-HMPH!?"

Piers yelped when you all of a sudden you grabbed his arm and pulled him in front of you. With you now half hiding behind him now, you brandished your rolled up magazine like a sword....A harmless sword but something to ward him off non the less. Raiham blinked having been bonked harmlessly by you. You scowled using your Piers-Shield and Magazine-Sword to swing at him a couple times. Piers blinked wide eyed at you not sure what was going on.

"Bad Gym Leader! Down!,'' you firmly said scowling swinging at him, "Go to h0rny jail!"

"Wha- Jail??" He asked but held up his arms from your harmless magazine attack. "H-Hey! I was joking, Sassy! Seize fire there!"

"Silver help!!"

Raihan's eyes suddenly went wide before snapping his head when he heard a loud chirp and stumbled back when Silver eye narrowed starting walking towards you. "Hold it hold it hold it!!" Raihan held up his hands to Silver and ended up having to literally jump over the couch he was previously sitting on and stood in front of the lady gym leaders to avoid Silver who now stood between you and Piers and the couch. He narrowed his eyes at Raihan and gave a loud chirp. "Geez. You weren't kidding when you said he was protective."

Piers stared out blankly...before slowly turning his eyes to you as you peered around from behind him at Raihan....His lips quivered. And suddenly a smiled pulled at his face. "SNRK!!" Everyone looked at Piers as he turned his head away for his bangs to cover his face. One hand coming up to cover his mouth as his shoulders began trembling as a couple snickers escaped him.

Feeling him shake from his snickers you looked up at him...and frowned at him. "Oh don't you dare-"

"PFFFFTTT!!! AHAHAHAHA!!" Too late. The flood gates opened and you stood up as Piers turned and leaned over. His hands coming to clutch his stomach as a torrent of laughs left his body as you frowned and crossed your arms. "AHAHAHAHA!! S-S-SO- *GASP* I F-FINALLY SEE IT M-MYSELF!! Hehehehehehe-"

"OH haha it's very funny! I just love it when Raihan flirts with me!"

"Really?!"

"NO!!" You shot at Raihan who....somehow...didn't look mad or anything.

Instead he gave a knowing look between you and Piers who continued laughing in his state. Everyone around you looked surprised. Even Kabu and Ms. Opal who usually never showed any emotions as Piers continued smiling and laughing which ....was so out of character for someone like him. One moment he was his typical quiet self watching through the window waiting to see Marnie, and the next he was laughing like his funny bone was hit by a ton of bricks....More exchanges were made between everyone.

"....Seriously," Leon looked at Victor again, "What did I miss?"

"Trust me, Lee. It's a looong story."

"Uh....H-HEY!!" Leon clapped his hands a couple times to gain everyone's attention back onto him again, thank goodness, as Piers started to slowly come down from his small giggle fir. "I don't everyone's been properly introduced. Everyone." He then put an arm around Victor. "This is Victor. He's been Hoppy's friend for years! In fact his sister's competing in the semifinals today."

Victor waved and Raihan was the first to wave back. "Oh yeah. I remember seeing you with Lee's Little Bro. I'm guessing that girl who looks like you is the sister."

Victor nodded and Leon looked back to you still giving Piers a frown as the long haired finally leaned himself up into a standing position. He gestured over to you his other hand reaching to rub his neck. "And this is a newer pal of mine. But I guess a couple of you already met Y/n already. She's been a real big help lately." You perked back up hearing your name....but waved politely at everyone. "Now that we're here, has anything excited happen yet?"

Bea shook her head. "Nah. The matches don't start for another forty five minutes or something, Lee. For once you made it early without getting lost on top of the stadium again."

"Ah c'mon. You too, Bea?" Leon shook his head and sighed. "Well anyways, while we're waiting what's everyone's plans for Christmas while you're here? I'm thinking about taking Hoppy and his friends to the Christmas fair later this week."

You smiled at the small exchange before shaking your head with a sigh. Well at least the attention was finally taken off you for the moment...well all attention except for one guy in the form of the long hair rock star who went back to his neutral look except now just the smallest of smiles were curled up from his lips. "So, we ended up meetin' again after all." You blinked looking at him as he slightly smiled at you, tilting his head with a raised brow. "I gotta be honest, I really wasn't expectin' you to just walk on up with our Undefeated Champ in tow. I guess you're full of surprises." His blue eyes glanced over to your shoulder and he paused smile disappearing for the moment. Silently his hand came up but didn't make any move to touch you. "How's uh...How's your shoulder been?"

You blinked. "Oh. This?" You asked looking at your shoulder too but shrugged when looking back too Piers. "I'm perfectly fine! It's like it never happened." To make a point you rolled your shoulder and stretched your arm out. "No soreness or anything. And...Piers it's perfectly ok." He blinked surprised when you gently reached out to push his hand back to him. "You don't have to worry about me because it's not your fault." He looked down to your hand as you patted his shoulder before pulling your hand back. Piers was a genuinely nice person. You didn't want him feeling responsible for you when he already has the entire town of Spikemuth and Marnie to worry about. "You've been more than kind enough to me anyways. Besides you already have enough on your plate as it is. How's Spikemuth doing?"

Piers still stared at you for a moment, blue eyes looking down at his hand for a moment flexing it open and closed, before looking back to you. A sigh escaping his nose before his hand grabbed onto his choker again. "It's actually going a lot better now than I expected."

"Really?," you perked up. Well this certainly WAS a surprise.

he nodded closing his eyes for a moment. "After Marnie and your group left I realized I..I h-had to at least try to sort things out. You were right. I had to start taking more responsibility. And even if it's not the best solution it is something. " Blue eyes opened at you slightly to peer at your surprised face. "My crew and I's taken to start cleaning the streets and fixin' things up with Leo's assistance. There's still barely any power, and we had to pause progress because of the snow...and we're not that fair to being done yet, but it's a step in the right direction."

"Piers!" you smiled widely full of happiness. "That's amazing! I didn't expect you to actually ask Leon for help though."

"I didn't. Someone reminded him of the power crisis affectin' us down in Spikemuth and been sending us supplies and things to fix up the place."

Someone reminded Leon of Spikemuth's crisis? Who could've-.....OH!! You're mind flashed back to that meet up you and the others had with Leon and Sonia. And how you might've asked about the power crisis. That must've been when you accidentally reminded Leon of Spikemuth's situation and Leon being the kind man he is, of course helped as Champion. Whoops. But hey! It looks like what you did turned out to be a good thing in the end for everyone involved. You glanced back outside the frosty window and by now the whole stadium had been filled up with some snowflakes still falling down but not as much as yesterday. From down before the green battle field was speckled with white. And...well you really didn't MEAN to say the comment out loud. You were just talking to yourself anyways. Not to piers or anyone else, but for a moment forgot he was standing right next to you also returning to look out the window with you. It was such a pretty view even if it wasn't a landscape or anything really beautiful like that. And to think this would be one of the last things you'd get to experience before you went back. Not being able to celebrate with any holidays anymore, no more traveling, no more hanging out with friends or Silver, or having freedom or privacy. Heck. You probably wouldn't celebrate Christmas with anyone. No offense to them but you doubted that they would say no to hanging out with Leon on Christmas and you didn't feel like tagging along this time. After all they deserved to spend some time with him after not seeing him for so long. Well you guessed you could spend it with Silver watching movies at the hotel. And that's when the comment spoke from your lips. Soft enough for just you....and Piers to hear.

"Heh. Well at least your home's better than mine." In an instant his eyes snapped over to you still keeping that neutral look but his brow raised quickly taking not you hadn't noticed him glancing at you yet. "Bet Christmas is really nice with all your friends."

"Yeah it is." You flinched and snapped to him as his eyes pierced through the glass. "It's Marnie's favorite holiday, and mine. But not 'cause of the fancy lights, or the food, or preasents. It's getting to see Marn-Marn so happy and smile. ...I'm not the best gym leader, my town's state is proof of that. But sometimes..." You stared at him as he sighed. "Sometimes I think I'm not a good big bro but then...I see her smile. ..And I can rest easy knowing that at least I'm doin' something right." You watched as he turned his eyes slowly towards you. "What's Christmas like where you're from then?''

....Your head shook before you returned your now crestfallen eyes downwards to the glass, not even able to look at your own reflection. The fabric of your coat felt rough as you ran your hands over your sleeves. Piers rose a bold brow, clearly taking note of the sudden change in mood so fast. ".....I don't remember. My mom never celebrated Christmas since I was just twelve." The rock star blinked at you, fully turning his face to you now. "I never had any gifts or christmas tree or stockings...Yeah. I GET that's not what Christmas is about. It's about spending time together and stuff. " You scowled down at the glass your fists digging into your sleeves' fabric. "But would it have hurt her to at least get me a candy cane? A sweater? A small card?! I GOT!!...." Your body deflated along with your face. ...That's...That's right......As long as you could remember it was always your dad or friends when you had them that got you a couple gifts. "....I never got anything from her." And you never did get anything again after that. Your mother became so obsessed with working and making you work and study that you....You never got to experience much of anything. Holidays lost meaning. Easter, Christmas, Halloween, YOUR BIRTHDAY!! ...They all just became regular days filled with you either working or studying enforced by your mother. Even small celebrations like proms and school dances were a 'Waste of time!' because.... because...

"You should be studying for college! I won't be able to house you forever! Who's going to take care of me when I'm old!? I put so much work around here to keep a roof over your head! Be happy you're learning to take care of yourself like a responsible young lady!! And don't you even THINK about dating until you graduate college or do anything stupid like party!! I didn't raise you to do such horrible things! Once you get yourself settled then we can find you a husband with a respectable job and stable life! You had terrible tastes from those games rotting your brain! When I have grandchildren I expect them to be raised better than that! ...Well don't stare at me like that! Don't you have the night shift tonight! I swear you're such a heavy sleeper!"

Piers stared as your arms flopped to your sides. ".....She n-never did want to celebrate holidays. T-There was a-always some k-kind of money problem..."

"...She never wanted too...Or did she not just ever let you?," Piers asked softly and you froze, your reflection's face mirroring the giant bomb that was just suddenly dropped onto you by Piers as he watched you. But his head immediately lifted up high as he saw the telltale signs of your eyes becoming shiny, and not in the sparkly kind. More like the 'Im about to cry' signs showing. AW RAPIDASH CRAP!! Great going Piers! You just goofed up again as always. Some gym leader you were for making a girl cry. He wanted to smack himself and groaned. What was he thinking!? Instead he...reached up a hand, hesitated for a moment when you didn't respond from the movements, and then gently grabbed your shoulder. Of course you jumped at the touch and snapped to him wide eyed to him. "Hey. Come off it now. Ya shouldn't cry now. Look at this. Your mum's not 'ere is she?" No..Of course she wasn't. She was back in the other world. That shouldn't be relieving to think about but it was. "Ya can celebrate Christmas now with your mates however you want can't ya?"

.....Sniffling you shook your head no and reached a hand up to wipe at your eyes. Embarrassed that you'd have to start crying now. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER Y/N!! THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A HAPPY TIME FOR EVERYONE!! "I-I'd l-love to...But I can't?''

"And why not? Those kids seem to 'ave taken a real shining to you." He slowly let go of your shoulder and looked over his shoulder at everyone. No one was looking at them. Thank goodness. Everyone seemed too busy talking with one another or eating to even bother noticing you. Not even your pokemon who at the moment was letting Allister rub his head curiously. Guess that was a relief. "Heh..And I can see why."

"B-Because they're all spending Christmas with Leon," your gaze turned back down sadly. "As much as I'd like to spend the holidays with them, I can't just invite myself with them all the time. Besides they deserve a chance to just hang out without me being tagged along with them, especially with their own family...And you heard Leon. He said we was taking them. Not me. I can't invite myself onto something that I wasn't even invited too."

"What about your dad? Dontcha have any other friends to hang out with?"

"No!," you shot back at him but somehow no one noticed again. "I don't! Because of my mom all my friendships sort of just...faded when when I didn't hang out with them and then they went off after highschool to who knows where! My dad's gone and my mom is...a-also...gone. ...I don't know where they are. Heck! I didn't even have Silver until Leon gave him to me this year! I-....I haven't had anyone for a l-long t-time ok?" You let out in a shaky voice and looked back away staring back out the glass. YOU WERE NOT GONNA CRY!! "I'll be fine! I was fine then and I'll be fine now, Piers."

You might've not meant to sound so harsh towards Piers but to his credit the pale man didn't even flinch when you had snapped at him. Why? You had no idea, but another silence resumed where you two slacked and he went back to looking out the window himself.

".....Hey. Y/n?" You hummed but didn't look away from the glass as Piers spoke your name. "Have you ever been to a concert?" he asked not looking away from the glass. "Like a REAL live concert? Not what you walked into back with the shoulder incident."

...You looked back to him raising a brow and sniffling again. No. What kind of question was that? Of course you've never been to a concert! Your mother would've never allowed it! But you answered with a shaky, "N-No. I...I haven't. ..W-Why?"

He still didn't look up from the glass when he asked you, "I'm doin' a concert for the Wyndon Christmas Festival and Parade this year. Figured it'd be a great chance to get Spikemuth more attention. As of right now we'll need all the help we can get. ...How'd ya like to come and help me out a bit?"

You stared at him mouth agape suddenly and eyes blown wide at the sudden offer. Unknown to the both of you Raihan seemed to be giving a knowing smile towards Piers not that either of you noticed. "Wait...You want ME to have front row seats to your concert? Are you serious?"

Without looking at you still he nodded again. "Yeah. It'd be a nice change of pace to have someone like you around, and who knows. You could help out if another speaker ends up busted again."

You turned to him and was about to answer but someone interrupted you over the intercoms. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF ALL AGES!!" That caught everyone in the room's attention as they turned to the window with you and you watched the crowd instantly starts roaring with delight as the voice continued. Leon coming to walk up and stand next to you. "WELCOME TO THIS YEAR'S SEMIFINALS OF THE WONDERFUL AND GRAND POKEMON LEAGUE GYM CHALLENGE!!! TODAY THE THREE LUCKY CONTESTAINTS THAT MANAGED TO MAKE IT THIS FAIR SHALL COMPETE TO SEE WHICH ONE OF THE LUCKY TRIO WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO COMPETE WITH GALAR'S GREAT GYM LEADERS TO COMPETE FOR THE TITLE OF GALAR'S NEW CHAMPION!!" The crowd roared even MORE as the speaker continued on and Leon next to you smiled and crossed his arms. "PLEASE WELCOME GYM CHALLENGER GLORIA FROM POSTWICK AND MARNIE FROM SPIKEMUTH!! CHALLENGERS PLEASE REPORT TO THE FEILD FOR BATTLE!!"

You noticed immediately Piers perked up next to you and his blue eyes laserfocused on the field as one young girl with black hair walked out onto the field. That must've been Marnie! But then...Where's Gloria? Leon seemed to notice that too and rose a brow, turning his head back towards the area where Gloria was supposed to appear as Marnie reached the middle of the field. That's really strange. She should've come out onto the field around the same time Marnie did. Your face nearly pressed into the cold frosty glass as you leaned over to stare at where Gloria was supposed to appear...and slowly she did appear. Which made you sigh in relief..unlike Leon who's brows rocketed up on his face seeing Gloria. Head staring down at the ground as she slowly made her way over to the center field where Marnie was already waiting as the crowd cheered them both on for battle. The two looked like they exchanged a few words on the field before the intercom speaker spoke up again as the referee walked onto the field with them.

"CHALLENGERS PLEASE GET IN PLACE!!" Both turned and slowly walked to their placed on the field. Here we go. "POKEMON AT THE READY!! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!"

And you all watched as the battles took place. First Round was Marnie's Liepard vs GLoria's Raboot. Gloria won. Second round was Marnie's scrafty vs Gloria's raboot again. Marnie won. Third round was Morpeko vs Roselia. Gloria won. Fourth round Toxicroak vs Corviknight. Gloria won again. Final round match. Which meant it was time to dynamax as the man over the intercom had said with excited the crowd to no end. You had ended up wobbling when both sent out their dynamaxed Corviknight and grimmsnarl and almost fell back on your behind, luckily Leon had caught you by the arm and pulled you back up to stand with them.

"Thanks!," you told him once you were back on your feet and he nodded before turning back to the battle.

"C'mon Marn-Marn," Piers spoke just enough for both of you to hear but you did end up glancing at him when he placed his hand onto the glass face becoming more focused onto Marnie's battle. "You can do it."

You hadn't noticed the attentive look Piers had been giving the entire battle too focused on watching Gloria work her way through. But now that did, Piers wasn't the only one cheering her on. You blinked as...horns?? Began sounding out, and you too a moment to peer downwards through the glass below. They were kinda hard to spot at first but there was at least a giant spot of twenty or thirty people near where you watched blowing horns of dark magenta and cheering loudly.

"HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! ROCK 'EM, SOCK 'EM!! THAT'S THE WAY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE, HEY!! HEY, MARNIE!! HEY, HEY!! LET THE DARKNESS SEE THE DAY!!", Team Yell cheered very rather loudly along with those loud as heck horns.

You weren't expecting them showing up here, but then again it made perfect sense. These guys went as far as to attempt to stop trainers (and most likely succeeding since there was only three challengers competing-) for her and acting as bodyguards of sorts, they would totally be here to cheer her on. You somehow managed to stay up standing during the dynamax battle which ended in Marnie's Grimmsnarl winning against Gloria's corviknight as both in flashes of bright red light returned to their normal height. The crowd cheering in victory in Marnie's fifth round win. But considering Gloria had won three out of the five rounds it was clear who had really won.

"THE MATCH BETWEEN THE FIRST TWO GYM CHALLENGERS IS OVER!! THE WINNER IS GLORIA FROM POSTWICK!!" The crowd roared as the winner was announced. Next to you Piers let out a sigh and leaned his forehead against the glass. Poor Piers. He must've wanted Marnie to win and it did guilt you a bit knowing that she wouldn't have won anyways, but in the end Marnie did do a really good job getting this far. "THERE WILL BE A TWENTY MINUTE BREAK BEFORE THE FINAL MATCH BETWEEN THE LAST CHALLENGERS!! PLEASE EXIT THE FIELD FOR REPAIRS!!"

As the two girls began walking off the field Piers turned silently removing himself from the glass and scooting past other around you gathered to watch through the windows, made his way through the door. You blinked watching him go. "Hey, Piers." He paused with the door open. "Tell Marnie I really enjoyed watching her battle." ....he nodded silently, hair shaking with his head, before silently leaving and closing the door behind you all. Most likely on his way to go see Marnie. She'll be fine, she has her big brother to help her.

You resumed your position of standing at the window arms crossed next to Leon but this time Silver joined you having to stand on tiptoes to peek out the frosty glass. Everyone else had either sat back down for the twenty minute wait or started to talk to one another. You stood there mind blank for a long moment watching the employees of the stadium rushing around in the cold for the repairs. As you continued to stare and watch Leon had left for a moment, only to return and making you blink when all of a sudden a cup from held in front of you, the smell of hot coco hitting your nose. You blinked looking at it before towards Leon who smiled holding his own drink, which you accepted after a moment with a smile.

"Hey. Thanks," you said smiling again and accepting his gift to you.

"Of course! Everyone could use a cup of hot coco this time of year," he said before taking a sip from his cup.

You also took a sip of yours, the hot but sweet sting of coco and peppermint hitting your tongue,...before you looked back to him. "Hey. Shouldn't you go check on Gloria after that battle?"

he paused for a moment before shaking his head and jabbing a thumb behind him. "Victor already went to make sure things are alright." You looked and noticed Victor was gone...Huh. Neither was Bede now that you were looking. Wouldn't he be with Ms. Opal? "He said he'll be back before the next match but I have to remain here. With the Chairman and Oleana unable to make it here it falls upon the Champion to make sure the semifinals go smoothly for everyone." He turned back to the glass watching the display below. "Which means keeping tabs on what's going around the field, but I'll hopefully be able to meet up with the both of them after their match."..He smiled. "Besides. Wouldn't want to be late to cheer them both on!"

You couldn't disagree with that...Although it was a bit strange the Chairman wasn't here. Not too long after Victor had return, the repair crew had finished, and the voice from the Intercom returned. "THE FINAL MATCHES BETWEEN THE LAST TWO CHALLENGERS SHALL NOW COMMENCE!!" Once again the crowd roared and everyone in the room turned their attention to the TV or got up to come over to the window with you and Leon. Your f/c eyes focusing on the two that were walking onto the field, Hop and Gloria met at the center of the field and just like with Marnie before they seemed to exchange a few words. "CHALLENGERS PLEASE GET TO YOUR PLACES!!" Both turned and walked to their places. Here you go. "POKEMON AT THE READY!!" Leon recrossed his arms taking another sip from his drink focused. "BATTLE BEGIN!!"

And thus it began. First round between the two was Hop's wooloo vs Gloria's Raboot. Hop won. Raboot must've been too tuckered out from Marnie's battles. Round two was between Gloria's roselia and Hop's snorlax. Hop won again. Ouch. That roselia would definitely need a look from Nurse Joy thanks to the massive body slam it received knocking it out cold. Third round was pincurchin vs Gloria's frosmoth. Huh. You didn't know she had one. Must've gotten it from those abandoned rotomi boxes at the center. Either way she won. What surprised you on the fourth round that both tossed out full grown corviknights. Hop must've gotten his from a rotomi box too. Either way Gloria won again. Both were completely tied now. But now was the fifth and final match. You decided to reach one hand out to hold onto something in order not to fall over as both dynamaxed their corviknight and rillaboom. Your drink emitted ripples as the two duked it out making the entire stadium shake and shiver until at final last. Gloria won. Just like you knew she would, and both pokemon soon returned to their natural original sizes in more flashes of bright red.

"AND THE VICTOR OF THE SEMIFINALS, THE CHALLENGER WHO HAS WON THEIR WAY THROUGH ALL OF THE MANY HOPEFUL TRAINERS IN THE GYM CHALLENGE, IS CHALLENGER GLORIA!!" You decided to chug down the rest of your drink as Leon still stared ..before turning around, and you noticed. Blinking you quickly swallowed down your beverage before following after, Silver immediately trailing after and Victor bounding up right behind you two. No doubt Leon was on his way to meet up with the two, and you were going to them too.

As you three went back down the hall you eventually piled into the elevator again and you watched in anticipation as Leon once again pressed the button to take you all downwards. Once again the doors closed and you descended back downwards towards the bottom. The battle didn't take too long to get there, as you excited you all had another surprise in the form of a crowd. Not too big not too small. Around fifthteen or so newsreporters or people with camera immediately shoving themselves into Leon's face and your's and Victor's by default. Leon said nothing pushing himself through the crowds you and Victor following ignoring the other people pushing themselves into your faces as your bodies pushed past and flashes of the camera made you blink. Eventually someone grabbed your arms and Leon pulled the both of you to safety within a group of security who made a barrier between the three of you and the reporters still calling out to Leon right in front of a different elevator. Sighing in relief you thanked Leon to which he nodded and turned back to the other elevator expectantly. You weren't sure what he was waiting for at first until the elevator let off a ding sound, and the door opened. Your face went from smiling to concerned in an instant when Gloria and Hop came out. Only that...Gloria didn't look too good. She looked...really nervous. One hand clutching her shirt and the other grabbing Hop's who looked to be doing his best to be comforting her. Behind you the sudden loud voices of the reporters and camera flashes became more frequent. Oh no- Gloria froze. A deer in headlights look completely taking over her face as she stared at them crowd. Hop gave them all a light frown and increased his hold on Glory pulling her closer slightly. You blinked as a cape swished in front of your face as Leon did his famous Champion pose.

"Gloria!," Leon greeted and Gloria flinched her eyes darting to him, distracted for the moment as he walked up to her arms out welcoming. ''That was incredible. Brilliant! Honestly there were tears rolling down my face before I knew it. And you were amazing Hoppy! Absolutely stunning work out there by you!" He smiled wide. "To think that the two of you set out together from the same town, built up the greatest teams, and arrived here at this point to throw everything you had at one another. That birning desire to win! Those moves filled with undefeatable passion! It was battling at it's very purest in every possible way! Even though there were some trainers who weren't sure whether you were fit to be endorsed for the gym challenge at first."

"That was you, Lee," Hop pointed out.

His brother chuckled. "Well then all the more reason! My team members and I will give everything that we've got in us to defeat our challenger! And the challenger before us might well end up being you, Glory! In fact that's precisely what I'm hoping for!"

"That's right, Glory! The real challenge is what's coming next-" Hop paused. The force upon his hand where Gloria gripped increased making him look at her and the fact she looked about ready to faint at any moment made him quiet. "Uh.......A-And I'm completely exhausted!" He looked back up to Leon. "I just want to head back to the hotel and rest." He made a not to subtle not at Leon which Leon followed. "You know, Lee. Just away from prying eyes for a while."

Leon to his credit seemed to catch on really quick to what Hop was saying and quickly agreed. "That's not a bad idea, Hop.best to refill your energy stores first. Say! Why don't we get dinner together?" He offered seeming to perk Gloria's attention a bit as he smiled.

"I wouldn't say no, but...you never care at all what food tastes like, Lee. And..." He turned to Gloria with a questioning look and it took her a moment to nod yes to him. "...A night like this deserves more than rubbish takeaway so at least pick something good. How about that curry place you told me about?" he looked back to leon. "Curry's Glory's favorite dish. I'm sure it'll help."

Leon nodded in agreement. "That sounds like it'd be the best place for her-..I mean. To celebrate with her. *ahem*.." He slowly leaned down to try and look her in the eye. "Psst. Hey, Glor." She blinked at him. "You taking things alright there?"

.....She nodded. "I-I think I j-j-j-just wanna go back to t-the hotel, Lee."

He gave a concerned look at her before he nodded and straightened up. "I have things to take care of here and a meeting with the Chairman after, but it's still early in the day. You two head on back to the hotel and I'll meet you there around four. Ok?" Hop nodded for the both of them. "Right...Hoppy, I think maybe you should take her back to the hotel now. I try to keep the press back for a bit." Leon paused for a moment before looking at you and Victor and gesturing towards Gloria as Hop turned her away. "I know I shouldn't ask any more of you..but could you make sure they get back to the hotel alright? There should be a taxi waiting for all of you out in the front." You nodded before grabbing Victor and pulling him along Silver still at your heels as Leon turned back to the cameras with a smile. "SO! I understand you folks have some questions?"

It was an immediate reaction from most of the press to turn their attention to Leon as you all left. It didn't take long at all to catch up with them as you literally dragged Victor along with you so he could keep up with your pace to catch up with Hop. Gloria still kept her head down with Hop speed walking his way through the stadium and out the door with a few press still on his heels. In a moment of quick thinking, you forced yourself and Victor between the both of them and the people with cameras following after giving them a dirty look as you shooed the three along and out the stadium doors. .....Where a TON more people were waiting. Whether they were press or not you didn't care, you ended up letting go of Victor and stepping next to Gloria's side to block her side view off from any of the other thousand people cheering out. Thank GOSH you walked out to the waiting taxi within a circle of security ready to go. ...You never thought you'd be happy to get into a flying taxi but you'll make an exception for this.

"It's ok. It's ok," you assured Gloria speed walking her over to the giant metal Taxi. The cold nipping at your face. "You'll be fine. Just get to the taxi." Once getting to the taxi you immediately grabbed the door swinging it open and ushering everyone it. Gloria, Hop, and Victor before you scooped up Silver in your arms and hopped in yourself. The door slamming shut behind you. "HEY DRIVER!!" You shouted quickly shuffling over and plopping yourself into your seat. "THE ROSE OF RHODENLANDS!! AND STEP ON IT!!" ...You never thought you'd say this again, but THANK GOODNESS you guys were able to take off into the air again. You weren't even bothered too much by the sudden take off this time. Just immediately looking at Gloria who by now had stopped crushing Hop's hand, but was leaned back in the seat breathing heavily as if she had just ran a marathon. Hop patting her shoulder with a concerned look.

"Are you alright, Glor?," Victor asked dawning the same concerned look as everyone else as he took in his sister's state.

.....She eventually nodded. "Y-Yeah...I-I hate b-b-big spotlights." She glanced at Hop for a moment before looking back down. You could have sworn a flash of what looked like guilt flashed on her face for a moment but you couldn't be sure. "I-I just r-really wanna get back to the hotel."

"That's probably a good idea...Hey. How about when we get back the four of us grab some lunch and watch some movies together?" You offered which made Hop smile.

"Yeah! We hotel has your favorite movie! We can totally have a great time before meeting up with Lee later!''

Hop's smile seemed to get her to relax a bit, and she gave a small smile. "Y-yeah. Sounds good."

You smiled at how she seemed to be calming down from her chronic stage fright, but your bad luck was far from over. Long story short, you four had arrived back at the hotel which thankfully didn't look very crowded but you took notice of Gloria pulling her hoodie over her head and pulling her scarf over her lower face. Most likely to disguise herself. You all landed and quickly scurried into the hotel. Thankfully not a lot of people were there....Except for a blonde haired woman reporter holding a mic and a camera man bolted right up to your group making you drop Silver when they pushed you out of the way and Gloria froze as a Mic was pushed right up into her face.

"CHALLENGER GLORIA!!," the woman beamed at Gloria's pale face. "Hey, Challenger Gloria! Got time for some questions?" Gloria didn't even get chance to answer before a mic was nearly touching her face. "First question! You and challenger Hop were both endorsed by the Champion, making the two of you rivals in a sense wouldn't you say? How does it feel to have defeated your rival?"

The boys helped you back onto your feet from the fall as Gloria sputtered. "I-I-I m-mean...W-Well.." She shrunk into her scarf. "I-It d-doesn't q-quite feel r-real yet...I mean..."

"...Right." The woman ignored her look. ''Question number two! If you wanted to tell Challenger Hop something right now, what would it be?"

Her eyes widened and Hop's attention looked back over to her as you leaned back down to pick Silver back up. "I-......I-.....W-Well....I'd s-say t-that h-he was jus' the r-r-rival I k-knew he w-was..A-An' real smart-"

"Question three!" The woman cut the terrified girl off. Silver gave an angry chirp her way. Not that you blamed him. "Level with me, kiddo. Your honest thoughts here. Think you can win the Finals too?"

"I-....I-I'm n-not sure..."

"What do you mean?" She suddenly leaned forwards making Gloria flinch. "Do you not think you're strong enough? Or perhaps you're worried that you'll meet defeat at the hands of one of the gym leaders?"

"Alright! That's enough!" Gloria gave a small squeak of terror when all of a sudden Hop pulled her back and placed her at his side with a firm hand around her shaking shoulders. Giving a glare towards the two. "Gloria's already tired from battle! And you've been asking rather rude questions. We've got dinner plans with my brother so sorry, but clear off already would you?"

The woman's smile increased as the mic was then shoved at Hop. "Ah! The Champion's younger brother right? Tell me how are taking that bittersweet-"

She didn't get to finish. The blonde reporter woman gave a gasp when all of a sudden her hand with the mic was yanked away from the two's faces and her face looked up to meet your frown. "Back. OFF!" The woman blinked at your hard tone and you released her hand. "You're being rude. And it's clear they don't wanna be bothered. Take a hint and go interview one of the Gym Leaders instead."

The woman looked at you for a moment before backing off. "Yes, yes. I understand." She smiled again. "Looking forward to seeing the birth of a brand new star." You gave her a hard look watching them leave finally with Silver giving them a hard look as well.

"Phew...Famous people sure have it rough, eh?," Hop asked jokingly to try and cheer the shaken girl up...giving a frown when she didn't respond. "....Anyways. I hope Lee gets here soon. I could eat my own arm about now." he tried instead to change the topic.

"It'll be a while before he gets here," Victor chimed in, "He still has to oversee the field repairs and stadium crowd. So it's going to be a while before he gets here. And it's still relatively early. I say we go back to one of our rooms and take a break for a little while and grab lunch before dinner time rolls around."

Everyone agreed and back to your hotel room you four went. Gloria seemed to calm down finally back to her regular self once you got back and sat down. Time went by as you four ordered room service and played some kind of action movie that made Gloria laughed. You were glad she had relaxed from her stage fright. A few movies later and empty plates, three thirty rolled around and Hop suggested grabbing their coats and heading down to the lobby to wait for Lee. You decided to go too, but not to join them. After all Leon had just invited them not you, but you wanted to see them off just in case more paparazzi showed up. With Silver following you all turned off the TV, grabbed your coats, left the dishes where room service could get it, and left to the lobby through the elevator. And in the lobby you all waited...and waited...and waited. Three thirty turned into four o' clock. Four o' clock turned into four thirty. And Four thirty turned into five o'clock. You all stood around waiting for an hour and a half by now. Where was Leon?

"This is absurd," Hop said. he had resorted to pacing back and forth as you waited, "Even Lee's never this late. Something's not right."

"Maybe he got caught up by the paparazzi or Champion duties."

He shook his head. "No. He always does what he says he'll do. As a kid he promised me he'd become Champion one day and he went and did just that. He ought to be able to keep his own dinner plans."

"We should be patient," victor chimed in, "Lee could've gotten lost and ended up on someone's roof again."

"ALL THE MORE REASON TO GO FIND HIM!!"

You were going to say something to calm Hop's worried self down, but a voice interrupted all of you. "Kid's sure got a mouth on him, huh?" All four of you turned over, and your eyes widened in surprise as PIERS of all people came walking over towards you all. Stopping at the top of the small flight of stairs. What was he doing here? "If you were that noisy durin' battle, you'd unleash a whole new level of power y'know."

"Oh pack it in, Piers!," Hop insisted one hand on his hip, "I'm seriously worried here! So I don't need your smug mug looking like you're having a go at me, even though you act like you're giving advice."

"Judgin' by appearances? No wonder you lost to your mate." Hop paused and Gloria noticibly flinched.

"HEY!!" Piers visibly jumped hearing you suddenly yell and he blinked when you pointed at him. "That was pretty rude of you, Hot Pink! I don't appreciate it!" Piers...blinked when you then turned to Hop. "Hop. Don't be rude ok? I understand you're worried but let's not lose our heads alright?" Hop mumbled something and you turned back to Piers. "But what are you doing here?"

Piers resumed his regular resting face. "If you're lookin' for the Champion, I saw him headin' to Rose Tower."

"Rose Tower?"

"That's where the Chairman's headqourters are in Wyndon City," Hop said, "But he should've been done by now. Why would he go there?"

"Dunno what he's up to, but I ran into him at the monorail platform. He said to tell you that he had somethin' to do at Rose tower, so he'd be late to your dinner."

"But why Rose Tower?," Hop asked crossing his arms, "What could he have to do there at this hour?" He then looked at Piers. "Piers, do us a favor. Take us to Rose Tower would you?"

"WHAT!?," Victor asked snapping to his best friend.

"Neither of us know the way," Hop reasoned back.

You sighed. "Well if you three are going so am I." You placed your hands on your hips. "Someone has to make sure nothing goes wrong." Earning you a disbelief look from Victor.

"You too Y/n!?"

"Sheesh. What rude siblings. Always so demandin' of others."...his eyes turned to you and you blinked back noticing him- he quickly looked away clearing his throat and turning his head up. "Though I s'ppose...it's a real problem for me too if the Finals are held up for any reason. And I don't really hate the two of you little runts. You were good enough to beat me after all."...All of a sudden he chuckled and a smirk appeared on his face as he looked back to you all. "So I think I'll invite Team Yell along, and we'll all have ourselves a bit of fun. Shall we?"

"Brilliant!," Hop agreed fist pumped, "You're the best, Piers! Let's cause a real ruckus!"

"HECK YEAH!! LET'S SHAKE WYNDON FOR LEE!!," glory agreed.

"Are you three bloody INSANE!?,"Victor asked grabbing his head.

You turned to Piers and nodded at him. "Alright, Hot Pink!" You smiled. "Let's see what you can do, Rebel Man!"

"NOT YOU TOO, Y/N!!"

Victor could only watch...and then follow with a groan as you three followed Piers when he turned and walked out of the hotel. You followed Piers out of the hotel and blinked when another person in a black and hot pink winter wear was there. In the form of Marnie and at least two members of Team Yell. She turned to you all piled out there before sighing under her breath.

"Man. Why am I here for this? I'm totally exhausted from that battle you, Gloria..." She looked at Gloria who blinked.

"We decided that team yell will cheer you on, Gloria," Piers explained, "Let's help out together."

Gloria blinked at Piers then to Marnie...before smiling. You smiled too. That was....extremely nice of Piers to do! ...Sadly a voice you dreaded all too well spoke up.

"What a beautiful display of sibling love," you all looked over at the voice. And froze at the woman in high heels walking up to your group followed by a League worker. ..and you instantly frowned as Oleana stared down at Piers. "However it is entirely unnecessary."

"Ms. Oleana?," Hop asked vocally your group's thoughts.

"Chairman Rose is with the Champion in a very, very important meeting," She explained in that uninterested monotone voice completely ignoring Hop, "There is no way I'll let anyone interfere. After all only authorized personnel with the proper key can ride the monorail to Rose Tower. That means as long s Chairman Rose is in the tower no one can disturb him." She turned away from all of you to face the monorail entrance near the hotel. "I have hand selected a member of the league and given them the key. Chairman Rose does enjoy these kind of menial games after all. Tell me. Do you think you can tell the difference between normal league staff and the one I chose?" You GLARED as a smile perked on her lips as she smiled and walked towards the monorail entrance. "Good luck to you and your menial friends."

"Do you think you can find me?" Before anyone could do anything, the man turned and BOLTED away.

"HEY!! Get back 'ere ya bloody kook!!," Gloria shouted after him.

You glared down at Oleana as she walked into the monorail untrance and soon after pressing a button disappeared up the elevator like shoot. Marnie had been watching too and had turned to Piers. "What should we do?"

To his credit, Piers stayed level headed and replied instantly. "Tch. This isn't good...But I got this one!" He turned back to your group with a wide smile. "Team yell's yellin' will handle this!"

"No! This is brilliant!" Hop agreed...before taking off blindly. "I'll search around the front of the stadium!!''

"HEY!! HOP WAIT UP!!," Victor called out before running after him.

"Guys wait!,' you called for them holding out an arm....before growling under your breath and making a fist. OLEANA!! That....That....HORRIBLE WOMAN!! But-...You blinked. Wait a minute...of course!! Your eyes widened as the memories flowed back to you. THIS WAS A GAME MECHANIC!! Piers stared at your oddly silent face before raising a brow and looking at Gloria gesturing towards you. Gloria shrugged back. That's right. In the game Oleana tried to stop the player and Hop from reaching Leon by hiding the key with a worker and then they would team up with Piers, Marnie, and Team Yell in order to corner the guy and get the key..Which means that he was- You snapped to Piers. "I know where that guy's heading!"

His blue eyes widened at you. "Really? Where?''

You pointed. "He's heading towards the plaza! Call your team mates to get there as fast as they can!" You gave a determined glare off towards the plaza's direction. "We're going to show that ladder disguised as a human that we're not gonna be playing into her mind games!"

Piers blinked surprised at you for a moment before giving his own smug look in return whipping out his phone. "For now we should try to head to the plaza together right?" you nodded. "Alright. Let's all work together and head for Rose Tower."

With Piers dialing some number, you dawning a determined looked started to march off with Silver at your heels towards the plaza, Piers following you starting to talk now with someone at the other end. Gloria turned to Marnie who blinked and gestured for her to follow. "Let's go too. Trust me. Ye don't wanna miss the action when Y/n gets angry."

There was still lots of people walking around having been just after the semifinals but you pushed past everyone face determined through the cold stomping your way towards the plaza. Oleana may have thought she was smart, and yeah she was probably smarter than you. But there was one thing the woman didn't have that you did. Gamer's insight on the story and game play. So you knew EXACTLY where he was heading. Past hoards of other people, stop lights, mudsdale rides, stop signs, and a few slippery patches of snow you FINALLY came to the plaza. Pausing in front of the corviknight statue and looking around with your hands on your hips glaring. Piers pulled up beside you a moment later dwarfing you with his height and with girls trailing up after.

"BOSS!!," Piers turned over as a woman in Team yell gear strode up to him. With a sigh she saluted to the rock star. "We got here as fast as we could! We're already got our guys tailing the league workers 'round the plaze place!"

To her smile Piers nodded at her. "Good job!" Before he looked around with you. "There was a few visible league workers walking around and some team yell grunts you could see past the other walking people. "Let's find Oleana's league staff member. That bad one was wearin' those lame shades right?"

the woman paused...before humming and rubbing her arm. "Gee. I dunno Boss. All of them have tacky shades and dreads."

"Well what now then?," Gloria asked looking around. "That bloke could be anyone 'ere!"

"Working on it!" You frantically looked around eyes peering this way and that looking between all the visible league workers...until your eyes landed on one staring at your group. He seemed to flinch as you glared at him hard enough to crack a diamond...and you CHARGED towards him with the speed and power of a mudsdale ready to tackle him if needed. Your action made the man dawn a look of panic and as a result turned and fled. You thought you heard someone yelling your name behind you but in your anger you didn't bother to look back. You bumped and smacked into people getting looks thrown your way following the white dashing away until your broke through the crowd of people breathing heavily and stopping on the edge of a street as a bike whisked past you. Almost hitting you. You flinched pulling back and blinking as the biker yelled to watch where you were going. You paused...looking left and right as people walked around you. the sky was starting to get dark now making it harder for you to see everyone as lights of the city was the only source. Feeling dizzy and turning this way and that looking for the man. ...Until realizing he was gone. ...."RRRRRRR!! UGH!!" You glared at nothing and picked up a pile of snow next to Silver up into the air. GREAT!! He got away- !? You flinched when someone grabbed your shoulder. Whipping around, you saw that it was Piers in his black scarf and pink earmuffs looking at you calmly.....You stared at him before looking around one more time as the girls pushed through the crowds catching up to you two as well...Before frowning and looking back to him. "Piers. That guy is heading for the monorail."

"Are you sure?," he asked calmly.

You nodded. "I'm positive! You need to call your boys and tell them to get to the monorail station FAST!!"

Without questioning it he nodded and once again whipped out his phone as you turned to Gloria who panted from running. "Gloria! Call Victor and tell him to get himself and Hop over to the monorail station as fast as they can!" To her credit Gloria didn't question it either and pulled her own phone from her pocket. your head returned to looking around the place as the sky darkened more. "Now which way is the monorail."

"I know the way," you looked to gloria who calmly stared back before pointing left. "I was here with Piers yesterday. The monorail is in that direction."

"Are you sure?" She nodded. "Do you think you can show us the way?"

She nodded and began walking off. As you all began following her you heard Piers speak into the phone. "Team Yell go find Hop! We'll corner that league staff member at the station together!"

Following Marnie through the crowd and dark, you steeled your anger for now and tried to focus on just getting that key! Eventually you all reached the station and Marnie began jogging towards it. You still followed spotting to your right a head of purple hair and a familiar beanie. HOP AND VICTOR!! Hop was farther in front of Victor making Marnie and Hop the first one to go inside the station running past people followed by Victor, and the rest of you trailing after. Thank goodness the inside of the monorail station wasn't too crowded.

"Hop!," you called out making the boy yelped and whirl around to you breathing and walking up to him. You looked head and saw four men that looked exactly alike. And you knew exactly which one you wanted.

"Y/n!," Hop responded seeing you. "I'm sorry. We didn't get to see where he went." He apologized giving a sorry look. "We were too late."

.....You pointed right at him with that frown. And instantly the man on the far right flinched. "It's HIM!"

Everyone looked between you and the man. "...Are you sure?''

You nodded. "...Now...How are we supposed to get the key is the real question- !?" You paused again as Piers grabbed your shoulder and you turned to see his smile.

"You did a crackin' job cornerin' that bad league staff member, mates." He patted your shoulder a bit before letting go of you and walking forward a few steps in front of your group eyeing the men a bit in silence before speaking again. "Let me sing you a song fittin' of your rockin' deeds."

...You blinked confused. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. you're gonna do what?"

he didn't turn to you. "The only thing a humble singer can do is sing a humble song." he replied before inhaling and letting out a small breath. "Maybe I can't cheer someone on just with the tunes I play. Maybe my songs don't make anyone happy. Maybe I can't help." Marnie gave her brother look. "But still the only thing I can do is sing. ..Sing my humble song."....In an instant blue eyes snapped open with the bite of a snake and it was a blur as Piers suddenly moved his arm- WHAM!! You all blinked when he slammed down a full mic stand (where did he get that thing?) and smirked at the four men like he was in a full battle with narrowed eyes and a smirk. "When you all get an openin'. Take it!'' Before you could ask what he meant, he held up a hand and snapped his fingers. "SOUND IT OFF!!"

W H A M!! You all jumped and whirled to the sight of one of the beefier Team Yell men heaved a giant stereo in (SERIOUSLY! Where the heck did they get those out of nowhere?!) slamming it too the ground before kicking it with his spiked boot. The stereo made a record scratch noise before all of a sudden rock noise came from it. Was Piers gonna sing-.....OH!! That's right! You glanced back to Piers who was already tapping his foot to the beat. RIGHT! Piers's song distraction while in game!

"Target on my back!~ Lone survivor lasts!~ They got me in their sights!~", Piers sang out amplified on the mic and it instantly grabbed your attention. The league men in front of you looking absolutely bewildered and not sure what was going on. "No surrender!~ No trigger fingers!~ Go livin' the dangerous life!~" What was singing going to do tho? You turned to Gloria when she tugged on your sleeve, before pointing behind you and you looked towards the entrance. Eyes nearly buldging out of your head as people were starting to walk towards the entrance hearing the music...then up towards the second floor balcony as a good twenty people were looking over and a couple had their phone out. It dawned on you....PIERS WAS BLOODY ABSOLUTELY FAMOUS!! Of course people would flock to him hearing his voice!! Marnie stepped closer to her bro and the mic. "Hey, hey, hey!~ Every day when I wake I'm tryin' to get up!~ They're knockin' me down!~"

"Chewing me up!~ Spitting me out!~," Marnie unashamed joined Piers leaning towards the mic and he didn't mind smiling and leaning back to give her room to join before taking back the mic.

"Hey, hey, hey!~ When I need ta be saved you're makin' me strong!~ You're makin' me stand!~"

"Never will fall!~ Never will end!~" WOW!! Marnie's voice was absolutely splendid as well! You guessed personality and blue eyes weren't the only thing the siblings shared. It was singing talent too!

"Shot like a rocket up into the sky!~ Nothing can stop me tonight!~" Piers took back the mic wholey all of a sudden as the beat picked up loud from the stereo. "YOU MAKE ME FEEL INVINCIBLE!!~ EARTHQUAKE POWERFUL!!~ JUST LIKE A TIDAL WAVE!!~ YOU MAKE ME BRAVE!!~ YOU'RE MY TITANIUM!!~ FIGHT SONG!! RAISING UP!!~" Piers's voice rang loud and proud echoing around the small station and people started moving from the top balcony towards him. here they come!! "LIKE A ROAR OF VICTORY IN A STADIUM!!~ WHO CAN TOUCH ME CUASE I'M!!~"

"I'M MADE OF FIRE!!~"

"WHO CAN STOP ME TONIGHT!?~"

"'M HARD WIRED!~"

"YOU MAKE ME FEEL INVICIBLE!!~ I FEEL, I FEEL IT!!~ INVICIBLE!!~ I FEEL, I FEEL IT!!~ INVINVIBLE!!~"

Marnie stepped back fast back towards you as the crowd came thundering down the stairs. The league guys looked horrorified as they yelled, swept away from the crowd. NEVER underestimate the power of music!! ....But to be fair you guys were too. You barely had time to snatch Silver into your arms to keep him from being trampled by everyone as all of a sudden the singer resumed his blank face again as people pushed you all away inorder to snap pictures of him or call out to him. You held up Silver above your head to better step around and through the crowd towards the stairs again with the others. All of a sudden marnie pushed her way onto the stairs stumbling a bit, something that looked like a credit card in her hand. Straightening up, she turned back to you guys and held it up. SHE MANAGED TO GET THE KEY!!

"We got the key, Piers!," she called out to her brother, "We can take the monorail to Rose Tower now!"

"GLORIA!! HOP!!," Piers shouted through his mic, "All of ya! Now's your chance!! GO!! Get outta here!!"

All four of you quickly waded your way through the crowd and ran up the stairs behind Marnie. She ran up and slid the card through a small slit. With a ding the door opened and you and the four kiddos (and Silver-) crammed yourselves into it. With a whirl sound the doors closed shut behind you and up you went leaving Piers and his crowd of fans behind.

With a sigh of relief you took a moment to relax...before looking at Marnie. "Hey." She hummed and looked at you from her spot next to Victor. "Nice job getting the key. And absolute smashing job at singing!" You smiled widely. "I guess Piers isn't the only one with a beautiful singing voice." marnie looked down shyly but mumbled a thank you. "Oh hey. Do you still have that card key?"

"Yes."

"Here. Hand it over to me. I don't want ya caught with it."

She handed you over the key nd you pocketed it. Ok. Only one more obstacle to face now. Oleana. But first you had to get to her as well...And you already formed a plan. You five rode the monorail around the dark city and finally arrived. it was completely dark now and when the monorail stopped in was in front of a HUGE tower. The glass and metal looked dark blue in the dark other than the snow covering it in the middle of winter giving it a menacing sorta look. The door slid back open and you five piled out with hop in the lead. Running on the street in front of the building before stopping in front of the pathway to said building and looked up at it.All of you stopping behind him.

"So this is Rose Tower," Hop awed looking up wide eyed at it. You were all able to see your breath in the cold air. "Just how tall do you think it is? I can't even see the top up there in the clouds!"

"So what should we do?," Marnie asked. "Team yell is gonna have their hands full holdin' up those bad league staff members. They won't be catchin' up anytime soon."

"Yeah, Y/n!" Hop looked at you. None of you noticed someone else coming in through the monorail. "What should we do?"

"Let's go ahead!," you immediately said pointing forward. Get this over with.

Hop nodded. "Good thinking. Let's go collect Lee and get out of here! Without him there's no Champion for Glory to challenge in the Champion Cup!"

Marnie agreed. "You all cleared the way to Rose tower. Now all you gotta do is charge on ahead. " Her gaze looked up towards the tower. "An employee's an employee I guess...Seems that exec lady hid the monorail key to try and impress the Chairman. Chairman Rose's been keepin' the Champion holed up inside. Wonder what he's plottin'?" That was a very good point-

"Times like this." You all looked over as the sound of footsteps approached you in the form of Piers. When did he get here? "When tension and passion run high. Reminds me of Spikemuth in the old days. Some right wild concerts we had back then. But no encores!" his gaze turned from the tower to all of you. "Wait. You're still here? You better get goin'. I'll send some support your way with a yell."

Marnie nodded. "Gotta stick around to make sure my bro doesn't do anything crazy right? Come back if you need anything."

Hop nodded with a determined look to the twins. "Let's go guys."

Piers bowed as Hop took off with the twins right behind him. You made to go after them but paused...and looking behind you at the two Spikemuth siblings...You turned around and walked back towards them putting Silver down. Piers stood back up, and blinked in surprise as you walked right up to him. You two silently stared at each other for a moment, before you suddenly spread your arms out and delivered a hug to the taller man. Marnie's eyes widened in surprise as did Piers as he felt your Warmth pressed against his colder body completely frozen...And his full blown eyes slowly tilted down towards you. After a moment you pulled away and gave a genuine smile.

"Hey. I know it's out of the blue...But thanks so much for helping out me and my friends." Your bright smile met him..and Piers...Piers felt himself gulp for no reason still wide eyed. "I don't care what anyone says. You're a really good guy and I can see why so many people rally around you." With another smile you turned and jogged a few steps away-

"Y/N!," Piers suddenly called out to you reaching an arm your way. You paused turning back to him. He silently stared at you for a moment looking down and his hand reaching to fiddle with his choker. "....Meet me at the plaza early in mornin' on Christmas. I'll have one of my crew pick you up before my performance."

You blinked but nodded. "Take Marnie and your guys and get outta here while you can. Don't worry. I'll make sure you all don't get in trouble. I promise." You then turned and ran after the others with Silver on your heels. Piers watching your form disappear.

Marnie silently watched you go..before looking at her brother then back to where you disappeared into Rose Tower. "So that's the gal that's been able to make you laugh so easily?...I like her." Piers gave a hum before sighing and closing his eyes. "So how long have you been seein' your new girlfriend?"

.....he suddenly snapped to her wide eyed. "W O T!?"

You had caught up to the three in the tower and the first thing you could say about the place was that it was DARK!! Just like outside at nighttime. The four of you looked around the giant metal place wide eyed.

"Whoa! It's huge in here!," hop awed looking around as the four of you approached the elevator...you picked up Silver again remembering something and getting him ready. "What in the world is this place meant to be?"

"I h-have no clue," victor replied looking incredibly nervous around the place. "W-We shouldn't even be in 'ere! We're gonna be 'n so much trouble."

"Calm down, Vic!" Hop looked to Gloria. "Listen Glory. Don't know if you knew this already, but I've heard Rose Tower was built on a power spot. Yeah. You know what I'm saying. When we get up to the roof and have a bit of space we can dynamax our pokemon. Which is all well and good." He spoke as your four approached the elevator. "But less certain is whether this lift can get us to the top. Rose Towers has like a hundred floors, right-"

the doors flew open making Gloria and Hop gaso and jump back from the employee walking out of it. "You'll be leaving right now,so there's no reason to worry about the lift!"

"INTRUDER ALERT!! INTRUDER ALERT!!" You looked up as an alarm started blaring making Victor even more pale as Oleana's voice cut through the speakers like you were burglers!! "ALL STAFF ARE ORDERED TO HELP REMOVE THE INTRUDERS FROM THE PREMISIS AT ONCE!!"

the man chuckled. "See? If Ms. oleana says so, then it looks like this the end of the line-"

"Silver use water gun!"

A stream of water immediately shot out from the water pokemon's mouth past the kids who jumped out of the way and hit the man square on. He gave a yelp at the cold water hitting him all of a sudden and waved his arms about but you didn't let up until he ended up slipping to the ground soaked to the bone and sputtering on the floor.

"GET IN THE LIFT NOW!!" You ordered and immediately moved pushing the three kids forwards into the lift stepping over the man as the lift doors opened and then closed behind you. Once the doors closed you turned around and upon spotting the button panel pressed the top button. "The Chairman and Lee's at the top!" You said turning around. "We should head there." .....They stared at you. "...What?"

"WHAT!? WHAT!?" Victor threw his arms out towards the door as the lift began moving. "YOU JUST HOSED A BLOODY WORKER!! WE'LL BE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!!"

"No we won't."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW!?" Victor yelled gripping his beanie. "WE'RE SO DEAD!!"

''Because it was self defense. that man was going to send out a pokemon after you all" They all blinked back to you as you looked behind you. "I'm not going to let anyone get hurt. Gloria. Got your Corviknight on you."

She blinked. "Uh...Y-Yeah. Of course. Why?"

You pointed towards the three other entrance ways in the lift which was big enough to house corviknight. "There's gonna be some employees under Oleana orders coming through one of these three doors trying to battle you in order to force you all back out. Get out your corviknight and make him stand in front of the door I point at. Order him to scare the daylights out of the people when the door opens and I'll press the up button to get us moving again. If we do that then we can get there and to Leon faster."

"That's a plan!," Hop agreed. "Alright! We're nearly to Chairman Rose! Hold on, Lee! We're coming!"

Gloria brough out her corviknight and ordered him to do as you asked, and you motioned for her to make the scary big bird stand in front of the middle one as you stood by the button panel waiting to press it. Soon after the elevator stopped like you knew it would. You placed a hand on the up button as the elevator doors opened. CAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWW!!! Screams rang out from the elvator doors and you pressed the up button. Making you get moving again without any battles. PERFECT!! Then again to the left. A caw and more screams as the doors opened and you pressed the up button. And rinse and repeat to the door on the fair right! This was perfect! You four were almost there!!

"Looks as though we're nearly there, Guys!," Hop said looking up, "Look sharp! let's do this!''

You nodded. "Oleana's going to be waiting for us at the top. She's gonna have a couple pokemon to battle you guys with. Froslass, Milotic, Salazzle, Tsareena, and Garbodor. So get ready to fight those pokemon guys!" All three nodded to you and you increased your hold on Silver before walking up to join them as they stood closer to one another. Gloria returning her corviknight for the moment. "You stay on guard too, Silver." he chirped an answer back.

With new tenseness in the air you four stood guard close to one another. You all better get to leon fast! the lift kept going up and up and up. Until you all finally came to a stop. And the middle doors opened. Revealing a GIGANTIC room. And standing there in the middle of it with her back towards you was Oleana. All three kids paused for a moment before looking at each other uncertainly before looking at you and with your nod you all started forward. Slowly. Your footsteps echoed out in the silent and dark room as you all slowly made your way towards Oleana. Your hold on Silver increasing in case you'd have to defend these guys from the crazy woman. Eventually you all stopped a few yards from her.

"....Glory. Stay on guard," Hop whispered and Gloria gulped.

"...Welcome to Chairman Rose's exclusive space. Here nearly a thousand feet above the earth. So you got through all of the special staff that I had ordered to stop you?," she asked and you glared. "I would expect nothing less of the trainers handpicked by Champion Leon himself." She finally turned to all of you. "But I am afraid it is now time for you to go home...Because.." It was like she went from zero to crazy within a moment as her expression completely changed as she yelled to one of anger even you had to admit looked scary on her. "I will not allow anyone to disturb the great Chairman Rose! You shall be the first, Gloria!" Gloria's eyes went small and she suddenly backed up behind Hop and Victor as both boys took a stance in front of her. "If I beat you to pieces then the Champion will have no one to battle and thus lose heart! In that state, he'll listen to anything the Chairman says!"

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LAY A BLOODY HAND ON MY LIL SISTER!!," You snapped your eyes to Victor wide eyed. A glare you had never seen before on his face and there was only one way you could describe it. Pure Blooded Big Brother Protective Rage!! You had never seen Victor glare at someone with such hate as he held up a pokeball. "IF YE WANT 'ER THEN YA GONNA HAVE TO PRY HER FROM ME COLD DEAD HANDS!!" He growled out in a thick scottish accent.

"AND MINE TOO!!," Hop chimed in also holding up a ball. "There's no way I'm gonna sit back and let you get anywhere near Glory after what she's been through!"

Oleana let out what could only sound like a rage filled scream and Gloria backed away. Out of instict you grabbed her and pulled her behind you too glaring placing Silver down as he growled. "AND ME TOO!! YOU'VE CAUSED ENOUGH TROUBLE FOR HER!! YOU WANT HER!? JUST TRY IT!!"

She let out another scream similar to the first and sent out the pokeball. Oh boy here you go. Both boys did too and it was Victor with a Bewear, Hop with his Rillaboom, and Oleana with her Froslass. Hop was first to make a move against Oleana as you stayed back and held Gloria's petrified form behind you as you watched them battle it out...Hop one. Oleana sent out her Milotic. Victor won. Oleana set out her salazzle. Hop won again. Oleana continued three more times...You watched with satisaction as both boys attacked her for the last time before her gardoder could even dynamax. Both boys fuled by the determination to protect the girl cowering right behind you as they both tag teamed Oleana down. Oleana let out one last scream of frustration....before deflating in defeat.

"*sigh*....I wasn't able to win. Oleana you really are a hopless woman. ARGHHH!!" She hands balled into fists as she looked at all of you. "This is inexcusable. What was I thinking? Any gym challenger who made it this far would be no pushover. Under normal circumstances I would have tried to delay you further.".....She inhaled and calmed a bit. "However all the necessary Wishing Stars have been collected. Do as you wish. There is nothing to be done now. Everything I did, I did to further the Chairman's own goals...

".....Heh." Hop gave a smug smile turning to Victor. "Typical Vic. You and bewear were unstoppable!"

Victor lifted his hand to return the bewear before huffing glaring daggers at the older woman. "NO ONE threatens my family."

"Whoa!," they turned to you as you strode up with Gloria, "Leon wasn't wrong about you being a top notch trainer too, Vic. Were you always able to battle like that?"

"Yeah! How else did you think he was able to help me practice battling when Glory couldn't?" Hop answered before ponting ahead on the fair side of the room and another door. "But enough chit chat. We gotta get to lee!"

Not wanting to waste time, you four raced past Oleana, you only pausing a moment in front of her to glare and shove the key card into her hand. "Here. You're lucky I didn't decide to hide your hey in one of the rooms for you to find. After all." You smiled so politely and spoke in a polite tone. "The Chairman loves menial games like this." Just like Oleana told you earlier.

Oleana's jaw dropped at the audacity of what you said before you ran off after the others. You four ran to the door on the fair side of the large room with Victor hanging onto Gloria's hand. BANG!! What sounded like a gun shot went off when Hop THREW the door open and your group charged in. On the other side was Leon who had whirled around in shock from the noise, and next to him was the Chairman who also looked surprised to see the four of you standing there panting and tired from the wild ride.

"Hop!?," Leon asked in shock looking over your faces, "And Gloria and Victor and Y/n!?...How-...What are you doing here?!"

"L-Lee, "Hop gasped between breaths releived to see his big brother, "You never showed when you were supposed too, so I got worried that s-something had happened. Piers and Marnie and all those Team yell Oddballs...They helped us out to get here."

Leon stared not sure what to do for a moment but the Chairman interupted with a cough. "I must apologize to you, Hop, if we've made you worry at all." You looked to the older man. "There are times when adults just can't seem to have an honest discussion with one another. Sometimes our pride gets in the way."

Hop gave the Chairman a raised brow look but Leon stepped between them interrupting anything he might've said. "Never mind any of this, Hop. Glory. Everyone." He quickly said holding up his hands. "I'm sorry I made all of you worry so much. Let's head back to the hotel and we'll all grab dinner together. Ok? It's on me so you can order anything you fancy." Leon paused looking at Gloria for some unknown reason for a moment...before looking at the Chairman and in a stern tone said. "if you'll excuse us, Chairman Rose. And i do hope you'll watch this year's match. it's sure to be one for the history books." Turning back to the four of you Leon held out his hands and began shooing the kids back. "Come on you three. You can tell me what trouble Piers got into this time over dinner."

You began to follow as Leon seemed to suspiciously herd them away a bit too fast to change the subject ..but eventually stopped..and turned back to the Chirman. Who had his back to you and looking out the window....You approuched him.

"One for the history books," he mumbled, "You still don't understand, Young Champion. We...No. I am going to change the course of history-"

"*AHEM!!*"

The Chairman paused...before turning his head to you as you gave him a frown and crossed your arms. the older man blinked for a moment before smiled. "Ah. Ms. Y/n. You weren't eavesdropping were you?"

"No." You lied but you didn't have time for what he said. You had something more important to do. But he seemed to sigh in relief. "I have something to tell you."

He smiled. "By all means my dear lady!" He turned to you smiling. "How can the Chairman help you?"

"By keeping your asistant on a leash!"

He blinked surprised at your words. "Oleana?" You nodded and he sighed. "My oh my. What did she do this time?"

"She. Threatened. My. FRIEND!!," you pointed at him and he seemed surprised, "Now look here, mr. Rose. I understand you're very busy but that assistant of yours is getting too troublesome for my liking! She just threatened to beat my friend from the challenge and personally I DON'T LIKE her treatment of my friend or Bede...In fact. I dont like YOUR treatment of Bede!"......He blinked. "You treated him absolutely horribly! Don't you have any idea how you made him feel!!" You...proceeded to go off on the Chairman. "You took him in and put so many expectations on him and then you let THAT WOMAN put so much pressure on him that he thinks he has to do whatever possible to please you or he's useless! And then have the audacity to through him out with NO WHERE to go and NO ONE to turn to!! By Arceaus what is WRONG with you two!> I don't have ANY idea what you two got into your heads but that treatment of those children better stop right here and now! If Oleana gets into her head to try anything off I'll personally make sure Officer Jenny takes her away in hand cuffs even if I have to sit on her to stop her!"....You leaned back away from his speechless form before sighing inrelief anf then glaring at him. "Mr. Chairman..If you want to truly help people then, start with making sure Oleana doesn't get in over her head and end up hurting someone."

The Chairman still stared at you for a long moment...before sighing through his nose and nodding. "...I see. ....Ms. Y/n, you have my word that I will talk to Oleana."

You rose a brow. "What about my friends? Are they in trouble for coming here?"

He held up his hands. "No trouble at all."

"And Piers and his crew?"

"Wouldn't expect anything less from him. *sigh* He'll be fine as well."

.....You nodded. "Thank you for your time mr. Rose. Have a VERY merry Christmas." With one last frown, you turned and stomped off after Leon with Silver at your heels.

Mr. Rose watched you go silently...before raising a brow and humming. "What a very strange woman. Very strange indeed...But also surprisingly fascinating."

#pokemon sword and shield #pokemon shield #pokemon sword #pokemon swsh #love doesn't do encores #reader x piers #pokemon piers x reader #pokemon piers #piers x reader

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pokeexehasstoppedworking · 2 years ago

Text

A Champion Time For The Heart Ch25 The Semifinals

The song lyrics Piers and Marnie sings is from Feel Invincible by Skillet. Link to the song is below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9NSd_2avA)

"HECK YEAH!," Gloria agreed totally fist pumping with him!

"What's Wyndon City like anyways?" You couldn't remember it too well from the games.

"What happens when the top Challenger loses to one of the gym leaders?," you asked as Hop pulled his phone away.

Ah! So they would have to remake her way through all the gym leaders again! That part you did remember about the game...Still. You couldn't shake the feeling that you were forgetting something very VERY important..Oh well. No matter anyways. Your journey was almost over anyways.....And somehow that still didn't make you any happier. Well soon after four days turned into seven days and it reached December Twenty Second. And early in the cold morning you were sound asleep leaning against the window clutching silver in your bag when you were again all of a sudden shaken awake roughly by the others for you to get up and reluctantly you did..Again. The sun wasn't even out at this time which meant it must've been very early morning again. You were barely able to heave the heavy bag over your shoulders as the three of them ushered you out the door and into the cold. The feeling of the frost and still falling snow hitting your face immediately made you jolt wide awake now going through the standard train station and then out the doors into a winter wonderland outside. You ended up shivering and pulling your hood over your head, tucking your hair into the hood with it. The others were all bundled up as well looking around as the fairly still early dark morning still blocked their view. Click! You blinked and held up your hand to your eyes as a sudden light hit you all in the form of Victor's flashlight. He shined it around you all before it landed on a road sign with the number ten.

Gloria nodded gazing through her scarf covered face at the hill. "Sure will. If we don't turn into icicles first."

..And Gloria ran off after him again into the dark snow. "HEY!! GET BACK 'ERE!!"

.....!?

You felt a sinking feeling in your guts watching them disappear into the darkness. "HEY!! YOU TWO COME BACK HERE!!"

"OH RIGHT!!" Gloria suddenly started trudging carefully down hill behind him. "We have to register before tomorrow!''

"Tomorrow?," you asked following after them.

" If we don't register before today's over we'll be considered forfeit!," Hop added.

"Holy SMOKES!!"

"Hey. Isn't that a mudsdale?," you asked gesturing to it as it walked away down a specifically marked lane. Like a bicycle lane.

"OH THAT'S RIGHT!!" You turned to Victor. "Wyndon City's the biggest one in all of Galar. That means they have more than one transport systems here."

You blinked. "Really? What kinds?"

You nodded at the idea. "Great!" Your f/c eyes scanned around the place through the snowflakes. "So uh...Which way to the stadium?"

Everyone paused.."Uh...I'm not sure." Hop lowered his hand also looking around. "Never been here before so I'm not sure where to start."

"Glory you're a genius!" Hop quickly agreed before making a 'follow me' motion. "C'mon! If Lee's here then we might be able to catch up to him!"

"...Hey, what's all of those for?"

Hop hummed looking around. "They must be setting up some merchandise stalls to sell things before the semifinals tomorrow." He pointed out one particular stall towards the right with a blue and white them. "Looks like Nessa's selling some of her brand items this year too. Pretty good last minute Christmas present. C'mon Guys." He nodded to his friends. "Let's go in and sign in real quick."

"Hurry up n' t-t-then come back as fast as you can! I wanna get ta the hotel as soon as possible!"

The three nodded and off they ran towards the stadium up the many stairs. You opted for getting back into the taxi to wait for the them. you all bundled up as best as you could waiting in the cold before they FINALLY returned. Both bounded over towards the taxi and got it, Gloria asking the driver to take them to The Rose of Rondelands. You didn't know what that was but it sounded fancy. Regripping the seats as you took off you opted to talk to Hop sitting next to you, to distract you from the high distance.

"S-So how'd it go?"

"I'm all sorted and ready to battle on the biggest stage of them all! We saw Marnie in there too. It looked like she was waiting for someone."

"Really?"

"We would like two rooms for the night please?," Hop asked.

The man smiled more. "But of course! Say. Would any of you fine folks be registered for the semifinals tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Three of us actually. Why?"

"Oh! Marvelous! Then we might've been expecting you three!" You all exchanged confused glances as the man hummed a cheery tune and opened a book in front of him on the desk. He skimmed through it a bit flipping some pages before stopping at one. "Ah. Here we are. Challenger Reservations bought and paid for by the Marco Cosmos company for Challengers Three, Four, and Five. Names marked as a Ms. Gloria and Mr. Hop And Victor with extended company. We've been awaiting your arrival here. Provided you are the people who are listed here?"

"Really!? That's great!"

"Indeed. But I'll have to ask for identification please. Can't have anyone swindling free rooms now." Understandable. You waited patiently as the guys went digging through their packs and pulled out their league cards to show the front desk man. After confirming that it was them the man handed them back their league cards with a smile. "It's all cleared!" With a snap of his fingers a young woman with blonde hair stood up with a smile. "I'll have Daisy escort you all to your rooms."

You all followed the woman into one of the golden doored elevators and up, up, up you all went to nearly the top floor. But instead stopped at the twelfth floor. When the doors opened back up you four followed the woman down the long, long fancy looking hallway and stopped at a door presenting it to you and Gloria and the one across the hall from you as Hop and Victor's. You went inside and it was BIG!! You looked around the fancy looking single room with soft rugs, a giant window view, queen sized bed, fancy furniture including a golden chandelier, AND A LITERAL FIREPLACE!! A small fire was safely inside it behind safety bars giving the room a cozy holiday feel contrasted to the snow still falling down outside. Gloria had the same 'WOW!' look you had as you all looked around the room before her eyes landed on a small gift basket filled with goodies she bounded over too.

"Look at this!," she called over to you and held up the pretty looking basket to you, "Complimentary stuff too! This is shapin' up ta be a real sweet deal!"

You nodded. "Sure will!" You smiled at your reflection in the mirror as the snow continued to fall. It would be fun. You'd get to spend the last nine days left of the year until the thirty first when Gloria won the championship match and you got to go back to your mother. ....And her rules. ..And a college degree you didn't want now that you thought about it. You loved baking but not the angle. Leaving your friends and Silver behind- CHIRP!? You blinked and looked down only to find two eyes peeping out of the bag staring at you. Silver squirmed around in your bag obviously wanting out. "Oh sorry!" You quickly placed the bag down and out crawled Silver in that little hoodie of his. Shaking himself out he looked around the place before stopping at you. "Glad to see you were ok."