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echantedtoon · 1 year ago

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A Champion Time For The Heart Ch32 Postwick Home

You were so done with traveling when all was said and done when you finally got back home to Postwick from your adventure with these two.

You really didn't want to go back into the Slumbering Weald. So why were you, along with these two teenagers, and Sonia walking through the foggy mist with trees almost as tall as the ones in Bellonlea and your socks wet from the morning grass? ....It was a long story. To summerize most of what happened, Piers was nice enough to just let you all take the taxi back once he caught up to you and removed his travel bag from said taxi. You were against it and would rather wait for the next train to take it back to Postwick, but both Hop and Victor wanted to take the taxi instead and it was two against one. So you had relented and climbed into the taxi with them. Although you didn't know someone already paid off the taxi driver for your ride back. Hmm. After bidding good bye to everyone you all took off back to Postwick. You wanted to wait to see if Sonia needed a ride back with you, but she insisted on staying to work with the police for a bit. Fair enough. The ride back was nothing special outside the usual rides you usually took in these things, and the two were excited and chatting like nothing had even happened. They were heroes. They should be able to celebrate that. Their reunion back home was met with uh...mixed feelings. Their moms and Hop's grandparents were SO, SO happy to see them back home all safe and sound. Apparently Sonia had called ahead and gave everyone a heads up for your arrival. They were also SO, SO proud of them for saving Galar (again-). ....But the scolding they got from them all for rushing off without telling them, not calling them enough, not visiting them when you all came back to Postwick the first time, and for Hop chasing after those two by himself was one you were glad not to be a part off. You did get scolded a bit for not giving anyone a heads up and also for disappearing on them, but you accepted their scolding and were just glad everything was ok now. And it was nice to spend the next few weeks just unwinding and helping everyone around the house. Sonia returned a little while after so happy and you concluded everything on her end was also being taken cared of. You did hear though that she was planning on making a second book based around the actions of what happened, and honestly good for her. Pretty sure Hop was going to buy a copy of that book as well. So why were you now walking in the woods?? Well it was a long story shorted in only a few sentences. You, for once, had woken up early in the morning and couldn't get back to sleep. And Silver was being restless. Moping about, whining, tugging on your pants, and you decided it would probably be a good idea for him to get out and let him get some of that fresh morning air. So after getting dressed, you all left the house and just started walking down the road, when you noticed something down the road by Victor's house. By the gate leading into the Slumbering Weald. It was Sonia. With her back turned to you and her hands on her hips, and in front of her was both of the guys looking like they had been caught red handed with their hand in the cookie jar. Confused, you decided to head over, and when you got close enough, you finally heard her scolding.

"-and on top of that it's utterly ridiculous you two would want to go in there again!," she spoke scolding them. "Don't you know that place is a protected nature preserve? No ones allowed in there. And don't you two remembered what happened to Y/n when she was in there? A flock of wild corviknight would only be ONE of the things you'd have to worry about."

"B-But YOU go in there all the time!," Hop tried interjecting.

"Because I'm a Professor Hop. I collect samples and work with the preserve to help monitor the environment and pokemon. I have clearance to go in there."

"Sonia!", you called out as soon as you were close enough for her to hear you and in response she turned her head around towards you. Raising a hand to wave at them with Silver toddling along behind you. "Hey!"

"Y/n. Hey. Good morning!," she smiled and waved back as you walked up to her.

"To you too. I heard some noise over here." You rose a brow looking over to the two boys looking back at you. "Is everything ok?"

Sonia sighed before also looking at them again. "I was going to collect some water samples from the Slumbering Weald, but I caught these two trying to climb the gate."

"We jus' want ta make sure everythin's ok," Victor assured you holding up his hands. "After everythin' that's happened we just wanted ta make sure they're doing alright."

"You mean Zacian and Zamazenta?," you asked and he nodded. "Hm." You hummed for a moment cocking your head to the side thoughfully..before nodding. "I think that's a reasonable request."

"What?" Sonia looked to you frowning. "Y/n you know first hand how dangerous it can be in there! That's no place for a couple trainers."

"I know, but we both know these two are both stubborn enough to just go anyways." You pointed out. Actually Victor usually wasn't and you had the sneaking suspicion he was just following Hop to make sure he stayed out of trouble. That was more something Gloria would be willing to do. "But if they went with us we can make sure they stay out of trouble and don't get lost. Besides, there's a stream than runs right by the Heroes' Grave isn't there? You can collect your water samples there. Plus...does it really hurt to check on it after everything That's happened?"

Sonia seemed to take in what you had said to her genuinely and gained a thoughtful face. Well her answer was an obvious yes to your idea because now the four of you plus Silver, were now walking in through the forest being lead down a path. Well you were being lead down a path. You had no idea where you going considering this would only be your second time seeing the ancient grave sight compared to the others. So you followed their lead looking around the misty place. Until after twenty more minutes of the silence the fog broke. And there it was. The absolutely beautiful sight of the ancient ruins and the running water around it. And it was then you knew you all could breath a sigh of relief. Because lying by the old gravestone, was the sword and shield. Returned back to their final resting place by the pokemon and until the fateful day they'll once again be used for good. It let a relieved feeling run through you and you smiled. Everything would be alright. Sonia took the chance to walk over towards the small stream reaching into her pocket to pull out a few test tubes as the guys walked right up to the stone monument. Silently regarding the strange but beautiful place before Victor raised his camera-

"DONT!" Victor yelped as Hop suddenly grabbed his arm holding his camera before it reached his face.

"Geez, Mate. What's your bloody problem?", Victor asked a little annoyed and pulled his arm away.

"S-Sorry. It's just.." Hop reached a hand up to rub his neck looking back up at the stone structure. "..I don't think a lot of people should know about this place. You know? It'd be better if no one tried to come and disturbed this place for whatever reason. It's the reason Sonia left this place out of her book. Zacian and Zamazenta deserve to rest easy after all."...He then gazed down to the grave stone with the name long since worn out to the point no one could read it. "And whoever they are too."

What followed was a long moment of silence between the two friends as they stared at the grave stone. And Victor lowered his camera, letting it rest back around his neck limply.

"...I wasn't sure what my goal was after I failed to surpass Lee and Gloria was picked up by Kabu to train to be a gym leader." Slowly he crouched down and reached a hand down to gently lay it across the cool old stone of the ancient grave. "You guys followed your own paths and I was the only one left behind and trying to catch up. But then I went around saving pokemon along with you and Piers..." With a smile he slowly stood back up and looked to Victor. "And I realized that I could help other people. You know what, Vic? I think I've found a dream of my own finally."

Victor blinked and looked at him in interest crossing his arms. "Yeah? And what's that?"

"I want to be someone who can help people and pokemon when they're in trouble wherever they are." He smiled wider in confidence. "I think I want to become a Pokemon Professor!" Victor blinked surprised at him. "I started thinking I might when we were going around to all the stadiums to help the pokemon that were running out of control."

...Victor smiled. "I think that's a great idea!"

"Really?!"

"Aye. Ye got the smarts for it alright! I betcha could be the best Professor n' Galar."

"Well...I know I don't know enough about pokemon yet and I've got no experience for this sort of thing, but I'm gonna study a lot and learn a whole lot." He raised a fist up determined." And someday I'll become the sort of professor that you, and Sonia, and Y/n, and Glory-..Well. The sort you would be proud to know! I'm gonna take a different path than you and Glory are taking ..but I'll always still think of you guys as my true rivals."

Victor laughed but smiled happily at his friend. "There's nothin' I'd like better!"

You smiled- "Ahh! No fair." You turned your head to Sonia who, now finished collecting samples, walked up to stand next to you. Making the three of you look at her. "You to are so young and cute. I'm tearing up."

"AM NOT!!," Victor counted.

"Getting a bit weepy in your old age, eh?"

"What?! I'm still young and energetic!" Hop laughed but what she said next shocked you all. "Say, Hop. Fancy becoming my assistant at the lab?"

And in instant everyone's smiles turned to shocked faces. "....WHAT!?"

She nodded. "I've got all the books and data on pokemon you could ever want. Since you wanna be a professor someday I'll oversee your studies."

"Then I definitely want too!," Hop quickly agreed with a smile before pausing. "Only..." He rose a brow. "You sure I can really be any help to you?"

"Of course! Mind you it'll be a lot of work. Work's really piling up since I lost my first assistant."

"Wait. So what you really mean is you're offering me the position to help yourself out?"...He sighed. "Ah fine! I'll still do a bang up job!"

You giggled and smiled widely. So this is it. The part of Hop's character ark where he got inspired to become Sonia's assistant and eventually a professor of his own. And you opened your mouth to congratulate him...Or ..You would've if a bunch of clapping hadn't sounded behind you. Making all four of you turn your heads, and stopped stunned at the four other newcomers standing there.

"LEE!?," Hop asked wide eyed.

"Those two bloody thieves!?," Victor asked angrily.

"Piers?", you added in confusion seeing the rocker there. What was he doing here? You thought he went back to Spikemuth.

Standing before you in the Slumbering Weald was in fact, Piers. The guy looked as bored as usual..But what was he doing here?! Next to him was in fact also those two bloody thieves. And next to them, was Leon. Wait...What were ANY of them doing here was the better question but before any of you could say anything Sordward spoke.

"Well, well, well. Now that certainly was a refreshing back and forth, Eh wot?," he asked hands returning to his sides.

"That really touched my heart," his brother added.

"Huh? Sordward and Shielbert?," Sonia asked clearly dumb struck and not sure how to react as you other three either stood there or looked at one another not sure what to say. Her eyes trailing the men that stood before her. "With Piers? And even Lee?" She shook her head not quite believing what she was seeing. "What are you lot doing here?!"

"No need for noisemakery, Young Lady," Sordward scolded her by lifting a finger and wagging it at her (now) scowling face. "We have come to meet with the young party."

"They didn't get the chance to properly apologize yet," Piers explained and you gawked at him as it still confused you before he sighed again. "As a part o' their punishment, they're being forced to properly apologize to everyone they wronged in person. We're only half way done. Jus' figured we'd stop by 'ere and get all you lot out o' the way. Magnolia sure gave 'em an earful."

"And I'm here to keep an eye on them," Leon confirmed crossing his arms and giving the two brothers a look. "They did technically descend from the original kings, but that doesn't give them any excuses for what they did." The two nervously fidgeted under the Champion's gaze before he looked back to Hop with that bright smile. "But it seems you lot have been up to all sorts of things while I was stuck in Rose Tower trying to help take care of what Mr. Rose left behind." ..he reached behind his head and rubbed his neck. "And something that's going to be revealed next year. It's still a work in progress."

"You've no idea!," Hop frowned pointing an accusing hand at the brothers. "Those two were forcing pokemon to dynamax all OVER the place!"

"AND!", Shielbert raised a hand cutting Hop off as he glared at the two of them. "For that we are really, truly sorry. Look at our sorriness." He pleaded holding a hand to his chest dramatically. "We thought only of ourselves and brought harm to innocent pokemon. We have truly caused a large amount of trouble. You helped us even though we did those awful things. You are so worthy of the throne, you could say it's a dynamax sized amount of worthiness!"

You just...stared. Beside you the guys gave each other a look and you heard and saw Piers give an eye roll and groan. These guys were sure uh....dramatic with their words. But you guessed getting a dramatic apology was better than none..Maybe?

Sonia sighed and literally facepalmed. "I already told you two. Zacian and Zamazenta are the real royalty."

"Incorrect!," Sordward objected, "We have abdicated the title to them! There are no other rulers!"

Sonia only groaned more into the palm rubbing her temples. Honestly if you weren't so confused and surprised still that probably would've been your reaction too-...Hang on a minute. You gave the two a suspicious look. How'd they get here in the first place?

"Hey. That reminds me." You successfully gained all the attention. So you pointed at the two brothers. "How the heck did you two know where the grave was in the first place?" Everything fell silent and the brothers' eyes went wide before they both looked at one another in surprise. It was like no one else ever thought of that before. "Hop and Gloria was lead here by Zacian and Zamazenta, Sonia found it by accident because she's allowed to be in here, and this is the first time Victor or I have ever been here. And I'm guessing you two also lead the way for them too since Piers wouldn't even know about this place, and Leon gets more lost than a blind magikarp in the desert. No offense, Lee."

"None taken," Leon replied.

You crossed your arms staring at the surprised brothers raising a brow. "You two don't give off the vibe of adventures so I doubt you two found it by accident, and Sonia didn't put the location in her book so you couldn't have figured it out from that either." You said knocking out any other possibilities. "So how did you two even know where to look to find this place?"

"Yeah." Hop frowned deeper at them crossing his arms. "How DID you manage to find this place? Are you like some super evil geniuses or something?"

Again both brothers looked at one another again before Shielbert spoke, "Should we tell them, Older Brother?"

Sordward hummed, face gaining a thoughtful expression, before he nodded with a sigh. "We might as well. After all this question was bound to be asked of us sooner or later. We'd be in more trouble if we didn't supply an answer to the question."

Shielbert nodded and you all watched as he reached his hands up. One grabbing his red suit jacket and pulling it open to reach his other hand into the jacket and after a moment, pulling out what looked like a small ...book? When Shielbert held it up it was indeed a book, but a very old one. The brown leather cover looked a little wrinkled and hand a tear or two from so many years of being handled and the paper looked yellowed from age, and it looked no bigger than just a small novel from the bookstore. All of you stared at it for a second before again Hop asked.

"A book?"

"Not just any book, Young Man!," he scoffed sounded just a bit offended Hop would refer to the book as what it was..A book. "It's a precious family heirloom! One that's been passed down in our family for generations!"

"Also conveniently for us, found tucked away in our attic in a large chest during spring cleaning."

"...Ok. But like WHAT is it specifically?"

Sordward sighed reaching a hand up to rub his forehead. "Oh I guess we have to be specific for the likes of others." A few people looked annoyed at his comment but he replied bluntly before anyone could say anything. "It's a journal written by the first King of Galar of course!"

"Our very own great, great, great, great, great...another dozen or so greats grandfather himself! Passed down by his descendants for generations until it somehow became lost and ended up in the attic locked away for safe keeping."

"That is until we just happened to find it clearing out everything to turn the attic into a luxury suite. Who knew we would uncover such a lucky find?"

"Yes," Shielbert agreed, "It has everything from the location of the hero's last resting place to Zacian and Zamazenta's appearance to the names and family tree of our kingly ancestors entire family line."

"Stopping at our dear Great Great Grandmother Swordenia. After her passing, all of her old belongings were just stuffed away in the old family mansion. We believe the journal was lost during that movement and forgotten somewhere between her and grandmother, but we'll be happy to fill in the rest of the blanks in our noble family tree later."

There was silence as everyone just stared at them wide eyed. Because...well what were you supposed to say to something like that? You all just continued to stare at the book being held. Sonia especially seemed to be staring at it in interest and newfound excitement. But this time it was Victor's turn to comment something.

"But I thought there was two kings," he said..before shaking his head. "No. Scratch that. There was definitely two kings accordin' ta the ancient tapestries an' the statues hidden behind the mural n' Stow-o'-Side."

"Ah! You would be correct about that," Sheilbert confirmed before wagging the book in his hand, "The two original heroes did go on to be crowned the first kings due to their bravery but only one went on to marry and continue the royal lineage. According to the journal his other royal highness resigned himself to a small town to hide and guard the sword and shield of the ancient pokemon."

"How do we know that's the truth?"

As if to answer them one of the brother's pointed to the singular grave stone popping up from the ancient structure. "One stone for one person. The answer to your question is literally feet in front of you. And of course, it's literally written in here. The two were great friends after all."

"Can I-.." Both the brothers paused when Sonia, mesmerized held her hands out towards the book half way. "C-Can I look at it?"

There was silence again as the brother rose a brow towards one another as if telepathically talking to one another before they looked back to her. "...You want to just look?" She excitedly nodded making them hum. "Wweeell....I guess you may. It would be the least we can do after stealing your research material. But I'll have you know this is a precious family heirloom! If there's so much as a tear on it from you be prepared to be sued for damages!"

"That's a risk I'm willing to take!" She excitedly held her hands up to take the book, and there was a silence. The brothers looked at each other for a long silent moment before Shielbert slowly held out the book towards Sonia's eager hands. You watched as she took it excited glee washing over her face as she immediately opened it. And flicked a few pages over eyes sparkling more with each passing page she flipped. "This...T-This is incredible!" She announced stopping flipping through a few pages. "A written document by such an important historical figure....I so want to investigate this further!"

"Hey, hey!," Sordward pointed, "Historical document or not it's still our property! You can't just take it."

....She gave them a flat look. "Says the ones who stole from us?"

"...Erm. W-Well *ahem* From a logical point, Ma'am. You can't examine someone's property without their permission. It's something, whether you believe us or not, is near and dear to our family. Just as your lab is important to you. You wouldn't let someone just come into your lab and just tamper with your research would you?"

"Again. You guys DID tamper with my research when you stole those Wishing Stars." ..She took a moment looking between the book and them. "But I would still like to examine this. Would you two be up for a compromise?"

"Hhhmmmm...Well I suppose we may be able to work something out. But we want it in writing!"

"...You mean like in literal writing?"

"Yes," both answered her.

Sonia blinked before sighing and shaking her head. "Fine. We can go to my lab and write an agreement up real quick."

"Yeah." Leon cleared his throat before motioning to Piers who through all of this remained silent. "Hey, Piers. Why don't you go ahead with Sonia and escort them to the lab? I'll catch up with you later after I take care of the other reason we came here."

Piers sighed but nodded. "Sure. I can do that real quick."

"Of course you will. If we divide and conquer it'll make things much faster. Y/n!" You blinked at Leon who smiled brightly at you. "Can I..t-talk to you for a moment? Don't worry about us." Leon shooed Hop and Victor after Sonia and Piers. "You guys just go on ahead and I'll catch up. Ok?"

The way he said it didn't sound like a question, but so nodding you started forward towards him. What ended up happening was the two brothers and Sonia walked in front of you two as Sonia bombarded them about the journal in her hands and the two were more than happy to (brag-) answer her questions. Piers following behind sighing with Hop and Victor right behind him wit you and Leon bringing up the rear. You had to pick up your pace to keep up with Leon's long strides as he followed but you managed to catch up with him with Silver chirping and easily keeping up behind you. With a raised brow you turned your head back to Leon who seemed to have been patiently waiting for you to notice him because he paid attention to you as soon as you looked at him.

"What are you doing here?," was the first thing out of your mouth. Which made him sigh and gesture to the people in front of you.

"Just as I got finished with all the tasks assigned to me, I get a call from the new Chairman,'' he explained with a long sigh, "Since I'm the champion she wanted me to take care of this little problem, and when she heard Piers was one of the ones who helped take them down she wanted him to tag along and make sure they didn't get up to any trouble while we made them carry out the first part of their punishment."

"No offense but making them personally apologize is a pretty small punishment compared to what they tried to do."

"That's what I thought. But then I learnt what else the Chairwoman's making them do." he huffed a chuckle. "They're being made to personally fund Sonia's research here on out as well as paying damages for the roof in Hammerlocke to be fixed."

"....That's it? Just apologizing and paying for damages?''

"There's more." He smiled just a bit wider. "Sonia's research costs a pretty penny. Worth it but the Chairwoman doesn't really have the resources to give her what she needed to fund the entire thing properly after fixing Rose's escapades." He chuckled a bit more much to your confusion. "They're going to have to hand over some of their own company to pay for it. Turns out those fellas own a whole lotta businesses in Wyndon and a couple other places. You should've seen the looks on their faces when the Chairwoman said she was gonna turn their own beach house in Hulbury into a loading deck for freighters and their mall in Wyndon into an affordable community college."

You blinked. "Really?" He nodded and you smiled. "Wow. I haven't met this woman and I already like her."

"They're also paying for the reconstructions for the places out of their own pockets."

"Ok. Now I REALLY like this Chairwoman. How come I've never met her before when I saw Rose?"

He shook his head. "While Rose was busy with his 'rescue mission' he kept her on the back burner by giving her mountains of paperwork and petty work no one else had to do but had to be done. Poor woman was worked to the bone. Then having to play clean up after. She has her hands completely full, it's no wonder she asked us to handle this for her. But this works out for her since it fixes a few of the minor problems while she tackles the big ones."

"Poor woman. No wonder you agreed to help. How many people do you have left to make them apologize to?"

"Just one other," he assured you. "Thankfully. You all were the second to last stop then it's off to see Rai and then it's back to the Chairwoman for her to decide if anything else is gonna be added to their long punishment list."

"Maybe you should tell her to tell them to let Sonia keep that book for as long as she needs for her research."

"Hm. Tempting but I'm not if I should take something that's important to their family." He smiled and then his eyes lit up as a thought hit him. "Oh. I also wanted to mention." You blinked as he smiled widely at you. "I heard from Hoppy you're still renting the basement room from Mum. Does that mean you haven't decided on traveling around yet?"

To his relief you shook your head no. "Nah man. I don't wanna do anymore traveling. I think I'm actually going to stay in Postwick for the time being."

His eyes lit up immediately. "REALLY!? I mean-" he coughed and looked away. "Oh yeah, yeah. I can totally understand that. Traveling's been putting a damper on me too. Which is why I've been wanting to get all of these tasks for the Chairwoman done as fast as possible....But something tells me you don't want to rent that room forever right?"

You blinked at him. "I mean-..Well yeah. I don't plan on renting your mom's basement forever. Don't get me wrong. Your family is perfect and I love spending time with them, but it was never a long term idea to me."

"Oh. Then you're planning on leaving Postwick in the future?"

"Well there really isn't any houses for sell around here so one day I'll have to look for one for sell somewhere-"

"That's great!" You blinked back to him as he smiled. "I-I mean that you're looking for somewhere more permanent b-because there's actually someone selling their house in Postwick! M-Ms. Magnolia was telling me about it when we stopped by for the two to apologize to her and Sonia!"

"Wait. Really?"

He nodded. "Just a little ways down Route 2 past Sonia's house. Old Man Harry's selling his house!" Your eyes widened even more as he nodded. "Yeah! He's retiring and wants to move closer to his family so he's putting his house up for sale! It's down the road aways from everyone but it's still close enough to your job a-and it's really spacious! I-It's just a suggestion though!" He clarified holding up his hands. "I-I was just trying to be helpful!"

"Are you kidding me!?" You smiled wide. "That's great! But I'll have to think about it. I make no promises."

"It's no pressure!" he assured you with a small smile. "J-Just heard it from M-Magnolia and thought you'd be interested."

"I don't know what'd I do without your help. Leon, you're a life saver."

He chuckled more rubbing his neck. "W-W-Well I try to help when I can! His cheekbones flushed just a light shade of pink and he cleared his throat again. "Boy Nessa is going to be surprised."

"Nessa?" You rose a brow at him. "You mean Nessa the gym leader?"

He nodded. "Y-Yeah. Hitched a ride with us from Hulbury. Wants t-to talk with Victor back there."

You looked surprised again at him. "She wants to talk to Victor? Why?"

"You'll see when we get there."

When you all finally exited the gate separating Postwick and the Slumbering Weald, you decided to stop and wait by Mrs. G's home to wait for the others as Piers left to finish escorting Sonia and the doofus duo back to her lab. Plus you were interested now. What was Nessa doing here? In fact where was she? You certainly hadn't seen her with any of the others, and you didn't see her lingering around anywhere here now. Well you didn't have to wait long because Leon and the two guys showed up just a few minutes later. Apparently Leon had explained to the two boys that Victor had a very special visitor wanting to see him waiting at his mother's house. And you had a good idea of who it was. So, you all walked right up to the house, Victor opening the door back and inviting you three in, and who else would be waiting inside to greet you all but Mrs. G who had a bright smile on her face as soon as she saw the four of you....And someone with blue highlights in her hair. Both boys stopped and stared wide eyed at the woman who sat there and calmly stared back at them, a cup of tea was placed in front of her at where she sat at the table most likely given to her by Victor's mother. Mrs. G looked please with herself at seeing everyone there. The smile only a proud mother would give. And there was already so much Mrs. G had to be proud of. Her two children saved Galar (twice), endorsed by the Champion himself and almost made it to the top, and on top of that both were beautiful human beings who were going on to become successful people. Gloria was officially a gym leader in training now and Victor already established a future photographer career for himself thanks to how popular his blog had gotten. But again. Why was Nessa here? And why to see Victor of all people? Well you were about to find out when Mrs. L invited you all in.

"Honey there you are!," she beamed at Victor motioning for him to come in, which he did slowly, still staring at Nessa in awe. Mrs. G also gestured towards the younger woman. "Leon told me this nice young lady is a gym leader you helped."

"Uh.." Victor finally shook his head and rested his hands in his pockets. "A-Aye. I met her once or twice. I-It's uh..N-Nice to see ye 'gain, Ms. Nessa."

Nessa nodded once. "Please. We're all friends here. Just call me Nessa."

"Um- I-...O-Ok."

She gave him a warm smile and gestured to the seat in front of her. "Please. Have a seat. There's something I'd like to discuss with you. If that's alright."

"Uh. S-Sure." He hesitated for a moment before shuffling himself slowly into a seat across from her as she smiled at him. "Um.." His cheeks lit up in embarrassment before he was able to blurt out. "I-I dunno wait ye would want with me b-but I j-just wanted to say I'm a big fan of yours! I-I mean your crew's dedication ta your shoots! They always come out amazing lookin'!"

Nessa blinked..before she busted out in a little laugh, but it wasn't a mean laugh at all. "Well, thank you. I'm happy to know I can still inspire people." She nodded. "And I can say the same for you. It's why I'm here." After staring at her for a long moment, Victor gave a small huh and she chuckled. "Leon's mentioned you to us quite a number of times."

"I...H-he has?!"

"Uh huh. He's mentioned you had a rare talent for capturing the beauty in everything. But I wasn't really sure what he meant until he showed me." Her smile turned into one of knowing. "You're the one who actually runs the 'Vic's Pics' blog on the net right?"

If it was even possible Victor's reddened even more in embarrassment and cleared his throat. Hand reaching up to rub his neck. "A-Aye. I am. S-Silly title huh?"

"I like it."

He blanked staring. "Wait..R-Really!?"

She nodded. "Mm hm. It rings a bell, and it's nice to have a name for something you worked hard on.'' She shifted in her chair to lean forward a bit a bit more serious tone to her voice. "I've seen a lot of the pictures you've taken." She nodded her head towards his neck, and it took Victor a second to realize she was gesturing to the camera dangling around his neck. "Is that the camera you used to take them with?"

She watched patiently as he blinked following her nod to his camera. "Oh! This?" He asked hands coming back to hold it. "Nah...W-Well, I me-mean yes. I had an' ol' camera that was the model before this one came out I used 'fore I started using this one since last Christmas. I actually gave away me old one."

"Really?," she asked and..Why did she look so surprised? Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him. "That's just what you've been using? No lighting techniques or fancy digital enhancements?"

"I-...N-No?" He trailed off gaining a nervous look at the stare she gave him. "W-Was I supposed ta?"

"Hm? Oh. No, no," she assured him holding up a hand. "I'm just surprised is all. A lot of your photos look so professional. From what I've seen and what Leon said, I thought you were older with an entire editing system for these. I've seen you a few times but I never realized who you were until I saw the photos of battles from the gym challenges last year. You also challenged me earlier last year right?"

He nodded. "Aye. N' me twin." And he smiled. "She was amazin' battlin' against ye. I couldn't help takin' them photos."

"I see." There was..something about her look this time as she asked. "Victor right?" He nodded. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?" He nodded again. "Was there a reason you take these photos? It seems a bit more than just a hobby by the looks of things. I'd like to know why."

And the room again fell silent. Surprise washing over Victor's features like you've never seen him before and even he didn't seem to believe it at first. Because he looked around at everyone in the room, (you and Hop surprised as Leon and Mrs. G just smiled) before his look turned to his camera. His fingers running across it's smooth surface....before he sighed through his nose.

"...You'll think it's silly."

"Try me. You might be surprised."

There was definitely hesitation before he answered. "It's because my sister a-an' Hop...are amazin' people. And I jus'...w-wanted to show the world it too." He looked up and with a shaky inhale held up his camera. "An' I think everything's beautiful too." Nessa hummed at his answer making him shake a bit more. "S-Sometimes it's just...People don't always notice it. Or sometimes." Brown eyes blinked down into the lense of said camera. A darkened reflection of him staring back. "Sometimes it just needs a little help to be noticed. And sometimes that beauty needs to be remembered. An' if someone never helps it be remembered, it'll be lost forever or it'll never be told at all...." He looked back up to Nessa. A face of certainty given back to her. "That's why I do it. I'm not as confident as Gloria is an' Hop's way smarter than I'll ever be. But if there's one thing I can do to help them then it'll be to show the world what I see. That they're beautiful. E-Even if no one believes me o-or they nah believe it themselves."

Her eyes narrowed a fraction looking him up and down. "It must've been really hard to go through the entire gym challenge while also keeping up such a blog. Don't you ever think it's a little too much to do both?"

He almost looked like he winced at her words. "Sometimes but...Ah can't jus' give up on that." Reflection Victor looked back at his real world double through the camera lense. "I want ta share what I see. What if there had been something, even if it's not important that no one else woulda known. Maybe there's someone who's story deserves to be told even jus' one time and maybe not everyone would see it but doesn't everyone deserve that chance? An' everyone deserves to show their story their own way. Even if tis just one photo. One dress someone wears. One day of being in the spotlight or being famous for a hundred years...." He shook his head and looked at her. "I dunno why ye asked me but I nah care if he think my answer's crazy. I-It's what I feel."

And in that moment followed more silence as Nessa took a long moment to stare at him. Before she gave a small huff followed by a smile closing her eyes. "Leon was right. You're not like your sister or his little brother." Victor's face frowned a bit by her words but he wasn't given a chance to react before she smile back at him. "But you're still perfect. Seeing the world in such a positive light and wanting to show that so others can tell their stories and never forget what the old has to offer. That's what I strive for and what exactly I'm looking for as well."

"I-.." Victor looked unsure. "M' s-sorry but I don't follow you."

"Victor. With your permission, I want to train you to be my successor to the gym."

And his jaw DROPPED. As did the camera, dropping from his hands and thudding back onto his chest. Thank goodness he still wore it under his chest. Brain short circuting. And it took him a long moment to respond. "I-...HUH!? B-But WHY!?" He gestured with his hands. "M' n-not gym l-leader material."

"Oh I beg to differ." Victor jumped at the new voice and looked up as Leon's form suddenly appeared next to him with a giant smile. "You'd make a great a gym leader as Hop would make a great Professor."

"B-But-.." he looked between the two of them. "I-I...M' not like Gloria."

"And that's WHY Nessa chose you instead of anyone else," Leon spoke a softer tone to his voice. "That's what sets you two apart and makes you special. You're right Gloria's confident and takes pride in what she does, which makes her a great choice for someone like Kabu to train. But she can be a bit ..um.." He tried to put it nicely. "Brash and jumps to things too quickly. Which might work for someone matching Kabu's and hers fighting style but obviously that doesn't match your own. And not what Nessa's looking for. She's been looking for someone who pays attention to details and can think off them. Like you do shown by how you perceive things."

"That's right." Victor yelped again when he turned further to look behind Leon and saw Hop smiling. "You always keep a level head when things go wrong and spot the little details when no one does. That's how you saved us. Remember?'' Victor stared. And Hop quietly shuffled on his feet. "I got carried away in the moment and let my emotions get the better of me. I put everyone at risk because I jumped rational thinking and sped away. You were the one who thought of them trying to come back and take the ancient sword and kept it safe. And if you didn't, there was no way we would've been able to summon Zacian to stop Zamazenta and save everyone. Victor...You saved everyone that day by yourself. And you didn't even realize it!" Hop smiled wider. "So now on top of being rivals and best friends, we're heroes too! Thanks to your thinking!"

They were all right. Gloria and Hop were both strong and heroes in they're own right, but if Victor hadn't done what he did...Well you'd rather not think of what might've happened if Victor wasn't able to summon Zacian. But none of you cared to notice all too caught up. Gloria was a little..ok. Maybe a bit more than a little oblivious to things, but Victor caught all of that.

"But...I-I'm still not as g-good as battlin' like everyone else."

"That's because you lack confidence in yourself." Nessa said gaining his attention back to her. "But I've seen the way you fought when helping me take back my gym and have heard other gym leaders give similar stories. I personally like the way you fight, and with just a little help I think you can see that too. I know what it felt like at one point to not believe in yourself when it comes to something, but sometimes all we need is a little help from someone. So...What do you say? Want to take a chance with me?"

Victor stared at her for a long moment, as if not believing something as well special as this would happen to him. Before a sound left him which you thought was a sob at first but it was in fact a choked laugh because he gave a shaky smile reaching a hand up to rub at his eyes.

"I'd really like that a lot." He sounded like he was trying not to cry tears of joy.

Well ...everyone couldn't but smile. Including Nessa who nodded. "Well then Victor. I look forward to working with you."

"Oh. That reminds me. Before I forget-," Leon took a moment to hum, patting his pockets for something. "Let's see. Where did I put that pass?" Before he ended up fishing something from his side pocket and smiling at the small ticket like object in his hand. "Aha! Got'cha!" He held it out to Victor who blinked at him and with a sniff slowly took it from him. "I got it since I had a feeling it might help you."

he looked at the ticket embroidered with a small crown on it before looking back to Leon. "W-What's this?"

"A Crown Pass." He pointed at it. "I won't say too much since I have a feeling it'll help you if you go."

"Ye mean you're gonna have me train with someone like Gloria?"

"Not exactly, but I do believe the experience will benefit you...Buuut it does take place somewhere cold all the time like Circhester. I know you really don't like the cold but I think if you're willing to give it a try it'll be a great experience- OOF!"

Leon jumped from something latching onto him making him blink and look down, only to find Victor hugging him. ".....Thank you for believing in me."

The Champion stood there frozen for a moment before ruffling the boy's hair through his beanie hat. "I've always believed in you three. And I always will. And I'm so, so proud of you all. You're all growing up to be amazing people just like I knew you would be."

You smiled at them. At the family you saw before you. It was a pleasure to get to watch them grow so much. And it looks like they're going to continue to grow and experience things.

Eventually Leon did have to leave with Piers and the brothers after a tiring battle and discussion, and lots of writing on Sonia's part by flying taxi. Nessa leaving by the next train assuring she'd be in touch. Not wanting to take away the attention from Hop and Victor with their families gushing over them earning an apprenticeship from Sonia an already established professor (working for the Chairwoman no less) and becoming a student to Nessa who was already famous being a model and gym leader. Until Victor left off for ...Well wherever Leon was sending him. You weren't sure where but you trusted Leon's judgement. It took nearly a week. Victor hesitating, and packing things and procrastinating. But eventually he gained enough willpower to go through it and like with Gloria it was certainly one you would remember. You all gathered at the station as he timidly handed the station master the pass Leon gave him and pointed him in the right direction as the train arrived. Many a tears were shed and many hugs were exchanged. But for some reason Victor paused when he looked at you before boarding the train. And you were confused until he spoke.

"Thank ye."

...And you blinked. "What?"

"I said..Thank you. I-I.." he shuffled nervously. "I never got to thank you for helping me back in Hammerlocke. B-Before ye got knocked out n' sent ta the hospital."

....You smiled. "Hey. There's no need to thank me. We were all doing the right thing right? You just go and enjoy yourself. After all, it's your turn to have an adventure."

He smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, Y/n. For everything."

"Anytime." You then gestured to the train about to take off, "You'd better get going before you miss your train."

"Oh right." Victor turned. Paused..and then slowly turned all the way back to you which made you blink. Victor seemed to want to say something opening and closing his mouth and looking between you and the train as if debating whether to say something or not before just looking at you. "Hey. I should probably tell you somethin' before I go." You rose a brow. "I-I was the only one who seemed ta notice it and I wasn't sure if I should say anythin' or not..But I should probably tell ye now less I forget."

"Forget what?"

"Y/n, I dunno if ye knew or not but-.." He hesitated before just blurting it out. "Lee's romantically interested in ye!"

You froze staring at him. "......WHAT-"

"Oop! Look at that! Me train's 'bout ta go! Bye!"

And you all watched him board the train with the speed of a scorbunny running away from your frozen form. Going through the gates and up onto the train. Pausing to look back at all of you and smiling and waving. Until the doors closed. And with a couple rattles and horn blasts, the train moved moving away and down the tracks. Taking Victor with it as he went off. And leaving you standing there in shock at what he just blurted out....before you blinked.

"Wait....WHAT!?"

#a champion time for the heart #pokemon leon x reader #reader x leon #leon x reader #pokemon leon #pokemon swsh #pokemon sword #pokemon sword and shield #pokemon shield

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pokeexehasstoppedworking · 2 years ago