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“Home sweet home.”
You stretched from your seat on the cruise ship just as the captain called for docking. Grabbing your bags, you departed alongside the crowd, and you made a mad dash for the exit gates. You didn’t tell your mother that you were coming in to surprise her with a visit; in fact, no one knew you were in town.
Reaching the end of the harbor, you released your bike and started your course towards home.
You have definitely changed since you left the Galar region. Taller, stronger, and you even changed up your hair into a newer style.
Taking the pace into a lazy stroll, you stopped your bike right outside your gate. Home sweet home. Parking your bike, you hopped up the stairs to knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
“An overdue guest.” You called back.
The door flung open, and immediately, your mom embraced you. You could hear the waterworks in her voice, but it was your mom. You let her have her moment.
“Oh my baby girl is home! What took you so long?” She scolded you with a soft frown.
“What? You weren’t watching me on TV?”
“Every contest you performed! And I got to see you take home the Ribbon Cup, Top Coordinator! I’m so proud of you!” Your mom continued to blubber as you both looked at the corner of the living room to where your ribbons and trophy rested.
“Mom, no more tears, okay?”
“Is that (Y/N)?”
You turned around to see little Hop and his mother walking towards your steps, and the younger sibling glowed at your face.
“Hey! We were just talking about you! When did you get back?”
“Just now. If it isn't little Hop? Are we getting close to our premiere battle against your big brother?” Your hands on your hips as you smiled at the younger trainer.
“You bet!!” He showed off his hard-earned badges, and your smile grew. You ruffled his hair.
“Atta boy, Hop! Let’s head on over to the Wyndon Stadium right now!”
“You mean it?!” Hop was buzzing like a Combee to run there right now!
“Even better! I’ll race ya there!”
“Last one there is a rotten Pokémon egg!” Hop turned to dash down the dirt road, but you allowed him the head start.
“Hop is still full of energy. I hope he never loses that.”
“I thought you two were racing?” Your Mom asked.
“I’m a good sport. I let him get a head start. Oh! And say nothing to Leon. He’ll know that I’ll be there when they announce me in.” You dashed off before calling on your large flying type Pokémon to sail into the skies.
You said you race, but not by biking.
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Leon had just finished up another victory when he received a phone call from home.
“Hey Mom, perfect timing! I just got done with another match. Did you watch it?”
“As always, sweetheart! You looked amazing today! I just wanted to let you know that I’m rooting for my boys today! I’ll have the family and (Y/N)’s mom over to watch! How exciting this is going to be!”
“Sooo, little brother is finally coming into the Wyndon Bowl today. Say, did Mrs.(L/N) hear anything about (Y/N) lately?”
“I thought you two were talking to each other?”
“Yeah, well, I thought so too.” Leon sighed, thinking about you. How long has it been since he last saw you in person? Four, maybe five years? Text messages and pictures stopped a month ago, and Leon was growing worried about you.
“Mr. Champion?! We have ten more minutes until it’s time for autographs and pictures with fans!” A stage helper announces outside his dressing room door.
“Thank you!! Hey Mom, just save me a plate for tonight. I wouldn’t miss your cooking for anything.”
“Of course! Besides, we need to celebrate tonight for both of you! Win or lose, I’m the proudest mom in the whole world!”
Leon was brought to ease by her words, and with a short goodbye, Leon clapped his face twice to get his game face on!
“It’s go time!”
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“Finally, the slowpoke gets here.” You were checking over news on your phone when Hop was spotted huffing and puffing up the steps. “How could you be out of breath when you have a bike?”
“How did you beat me without one?!” Hop cried before resting on his knees. “I was so excited that I ran pretty much the whole way…Ugh!”
You laughed at his misfortune. The baby of their little friend group always tried his best. Sonia, Leon, you, and little Hop. It didn’t stay that way for long, for once Leon was crowned Champion, Sonia found her place as a professor's assistant. What was your purpose if Leon had beaten both you and Sonia?
It’s why you left Galar to go and find out what else was out there. Becoming a Pokémon coordinator came soon after you landed in the Hoen region, and sweeping the competition by storm was exhilarating! You found your groove within yourself and with the collaboration of your team! Winning the Ribbon Cup was a new dream come true, but it was a little lackluster without one of your biggest supporters there to cheer you on in the crowd.
After your first big win, you travel out of the Hoenn region to sail through the Sinnoh Ribbon Cup. You grew in wisdom and strength, and through some trial and error, you felt ready to sail back home. Sinnoh was much tougher, but you smiled with each battle and shook hands with each trainer you came across. Each victory was added to your belt of achievements, and with each new ribbon, you were gearing up for your next Ribbon Cup. Your phone in your hand, you wanted to call Leon before your last battle for the title and cup, but you froze.
You made a different choice.
You called your mother to leave a message for both of them. And that was last year.
Leon was becoming more and more of a distraction with each year you both grew in your battles. Last month, you heard that Hop was about that age to go on his own adventure, and that was when you saw your opportunity!
You would get your rematch. Then see how well Hop was as a Pokémon trainer, and take both brothers out!
It’s a win-win!
“Alright, Hop, you got your breath back. Now, are you ready to go face your big brother?”
“You bet I am! Let’s go!”
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You adjusted your uniform for the sixth time. You couldn’t wear your old one for obvious reasons, so a new one was ordered for you. Your favorite number sat behind your back, and you messed with your hair again to get it just right.
You touched a pendant that you always wore to every battle. It has been your good luck charm since you left home for the first time, and you never went anywhere without it. A simple locket shaped like the Wishing Star you saw the day before you went on your first journey as a Pokémon trainer. Touching the necklace always brought a smile to your face and cast away your worries. And even for a minute, it was enough for you to get your head in the game!
You jumped off the seat and punched the air!
“Yosh! Let’s go grab that Championship!!”
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Leon was thrilled to see his little brother walking onto the field and fighting his way towards the finals, but a special guest was to be announced as one of the last finalists against Hop. Even as the youngster himself walked onto the field, the crowd muttered about the special guest. Who could it be?
“Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for our first finalist of the evening, it’s Hop!”
“Good luck brother.” Leon whispered with a smile.
The crowd cheered for the young man who confidently walked into the field, but the lights clicked right in front of your entrance. You stretched one more time before walking towards the field.
“And for the last finalist, this trainer here is a returning finalist that has traveled from Hoenn to Sinnoh, and has now come back to her hometown to steal the crown from our reigning champ! Give it up for Top Coordinator, (Y/N)!!”
The shock rushed over the crowd in stunned silence, listening to the echo of your shoes walking in, and just when your face got revealed on the screen by the camera, you smiled big and fistbumped the air!!
“I’m back, Galar!! Y’all ready for me?!” You screamed into the air, then waved to the roaring crowd!!
“(Y/N) is back home in Galar!!”
“We get to see her battle against Leon again!!”
“This is getting exciting!!”
“We love you!! (Y/N)!!!!!”
“What?!? (Y/N)?!?” Hop freaked out watching you walk closer towards the middle. While one brother was growing in worry, the champion’s smile only grew bigger!
You were back!
Coming into the middle, you pointed towards the camera that was coming close to your face!
“LEON!! I’m coming for that crown!!” You roared into the lenses, and Leon’s face only grew with excitement! He jumped up from his seat to stand close to the window, watching the field below.
“(Y/N)?! When did you-”
“Little Hop.” You met his face with a sad smile before you snatched up your first Pokémon. “I want you to give it your best shot, alright? Don’t hold back.” You encouraged him before walking towards your end of the field. Hop quickly ran towards his end, still in shock, he would be facing you first. How good were you?
No point in getting cold feet! Just go all out like he always does!!
He slapped his face twice to get his game face on! Time for battle!
“Let’s go, Dubwool!!” Hop called out his first Pokémon, and you calmly summoned your first. You defeated the ram Pokémon with two two-hit KO. You stood there unfazed as the next Pokémon was summoned. You didn’t switch, for your first Pokémon knocked out his second. Hop was looking worried by the time he released his third Pokémon.
Leon continues to watch from the edge of his seat as you finally retrieve your first Pokémon after its defeat. You definitely were different than when you had last battled against him years ago. Oozing with confidence, but calm in front of your opponent, who has now lost against your second Pokémon.
Hop cursed under his breath as he only had two more left. You showed no signs of joy or frustration, or any facial expressions for that matter. Which was very odd to him. Was it because with him as your opponent, the battle was easy? Well, he would have to make you work hard for that Championship match!!
“Don’t think I’m down and out (Y/N)!! I still got my ace up my sleeve!!” Hop barked at you with bravado, and that’s when you finally smiled big at him. It was your encouraging gesture that you always gave him.
“I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me, Hop! Give me your best!”
With that said, you watched as he tossed out his fifth Pokémon, only for you to trample his starter Pokémon in two hits. Hop was starting to sweat, but Leon was smiling ear to ear.
You were cute when you last battled him, but now, seeing you dominate the battlefield and command the air with cheers crying in every direction, Leon would gladly say you were turning him on more than he realized. He did feel bad for his little brother, but not so much that he was getting pumped to face you in the next match!
You had this match in the bag!
Once Hop Gigamaxed his final Pokémon, Corviknight, you thought for a moment to give Hop and the audience a show! You returned your second Pokémon. You loosened your shoulder to get ready for your windup throw!
“Hey, little Hop, you’re doing an amazing job with your Pokémon. Keep up that fighting spirit, okay?” You took out a luxury ball, tossed it into the air to release Toxtricity! “Everyone, get ready for some fireworks!!! C’mon out, Tox! It’s showtime!” You shouted before returning the Pokémon to Gigamax the ball. Tossing it with flair, Toxtricity was released again, and Gigantamax Toxtricity appeared!
“Get amped up, Tox, this match is ours!! G-Max Stun Shock!!!” You shouted as your Pokémon took on the command! The giant cloud formed above the giant bird before purple lightning speared Hop’s Pokémon. The dust cleared, and Corviknight had fainted.
You had claimed victory from Hop, and you knew he would take it badly. But as the crowd cheered for the winner, you had walked up to the disappointed teen with a sad smile.
He couldn’t look at you for a minute, but was surprised by your hand held out for him.
“Learn from your battles, Hop. That’s how I got better. You will go far. Don’t give up.”
Hop seemed hopeful after your words, then smiled before shaking your hand.
“Thanks (Y/N).”
“Not a bad job against a top coordinator, Hop!!” Leon’s voice cuts through the cheers, and you both look to the same side, your left, to see the Champ standing a bit away to watch you two interact. He came at you both with long strides, and you stared hard at him. Here he was in the flesh after five years.
Your throat was somehow dry, but before you could give a proper greeting, Leon tackled both of you in a big Ursaring hug!
“Way a go, little brother!! I’m proud of you for staying firm all the way to the end!!” Leon cheered for Hop, and mad relief washed over the youngster that he almost started crying. Releasing you both, he ruffled Hop’s hair before turning all of his attention on you.
“Welcome back.”
“Good to be back! Now, you ready to get your ass handed to you?” You smirked, and Leon barked out laughing!!
“We shall see about that!” Leon’s cape fluttered in the wind as you both immediately jumped to the opposing sides.
Hop watched from the sidelines and looked at you both wearing crazy, wide smiles! This was a much different atmosphere than the previous match!! The cheers never ended as the Galar Champion would be fighting to defend his undefeated record.
“Ready when you are!” You called out, your second team set and ready to rumble!!
“Ladies and gentlemen!! It’s time for the Championship round!! In one corner, Galar’s very first top coordinator, (Y/N)!!” You waved to the crowd, but once Leon got his introduction, the crowd’s volume deafened your ear. You laughed at the showboat of your childhood friend. Meeting eye to eye, you both took out your first Pokémon, and the battle is on!
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“Congratulations once again, Leon!!”
“Cheers to our reigning Champ!!”
“Thanks, everyone!!” Leon smiled big while enjoying the grilled meats and veggies his mother was barbecuing up outside. His grandpa was there with all his bright teeth, and even your mother came over to socialize in the backyard.
You and Hop sat on the outside ring of the growing fan base that came to congratulate the still reigning champ of Galar. You looked down at the dazed trainer who wore a happy smile on his face.
“You feeling okay?”
“Better than ever! I still have a chance to battle my brother, so tomorrow I will be planning out my new strategy to make it to the top!” Hop leaped off his seat to throw a fist into the air.
“I’m proud of you, Hop.” You stood up and mussed up his hair.
“Hey!”
“Keep up that energy. Don’t let anyone take away your spark.”
“You bet!”
“(Y/N)?! Oh goodness! We didn’t miss you this time!” You looked at the entryway to see Sonia and her grandmother coming by.
“Professor Magnolia. You seem to be doing well. Whatzup Sonia? Enjoying being a professor’s assistant?”
“I’m doing much better than you expected, right? And how is Galar’s first-ever top coordinator?” Sonia sassed at you, and you simply shrugged.
“I feel okay. Better than okay. I just need to strive for another victory in the Ribbon Cup next year. For now, I’m just enjoying seeing the whole gang back again.” Your eyes moved from Sonia to see Leon, boastfully laughing with the family. You did miss his laughter and carefree smiles. Almost five years and, Leon hasn’t changed much. Taller, but still cocky. Man, you hated how handsome he’s become, or wasn’t he already handsome to look at?
“(Y/N)?”
Sonia’s voice brought you back from thinking about him, and you smirked at the redhead.
“Wanna take a crack at a battle with me?”
“Absolutely-”
“Absolutely? Then come at me, Sonia!” You rushed the assistant, who quickly berated you for being rash. Professor Magnolia and Hop laughed at the two girls who drew eyes from Leon and the others.
You missed the looks the champion was giving you throughout the entire evening.
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The night sky was cloud-free with stars that glittered in the night.
You stopped your bike around Giant’s Mirror and took in the beautiful view.
After the party, you walked your mom back home before sneaking away to ride in the quiet of the town. Passing by the train was when you took off via your Flying type to sail into the wild fields.
You really needed the quiet of the night, and the chirps and cries of Pokémon that went bump in the night helped as well. You took hold of the locket around your neck and stared at the Wishing Star. You clicked the side to open it up, and inside was a small piece of paper.
A note, a promise to yourself that you broke tonight.
Your hand got wet from droplets falling from the sky, but when you looked up, no clouds were above you. You blinked to see your vision go blurry, and soon, more tears appeared.
You made Hop believe that you were fine. You made everyone think that you were okay, but you weren’t. You were a sore loser. Especially towards Leon. What’s worse is that you hated to cry in front of anyone. It showed weakness.
Five years later, and you still couldn’t beat him.
You gripped the necklace, ripped it off your neck, and then threw it towards the body of water-
Only for your hand to be caught by something big!
You jerked around to see Leon staring down at you.
“Leon?! Geezus! You scared the living daylights out of me!! I thought I hit a wild Pokémon…” You stepped back, trying to catch your breath from the shock the champion gave you. Here he was in his full champion regalia, but Leon looked at you in heavy concern that was unusual for him. You gave a sad smile and took a step back. Goodness, he was handsome. Distracting, tall, and it made your heart thump faster if he got too close.
Why are you taking steps away from him? Why were you avoiding eye contact? Avoiding contact period?! Don’t you know how excited he was to finally see you, to hug you again?
“(Y/N)?”
“You shouldn’t sneak up on a girl like that! You could get hurt. Uh, you can let go of my hand now…” You looked to see your hand still in his big one, but when you pulled back, he tightened his hold. “Leon?”
“Why are you throwing away our wish?”
You froze. Our wish? You made this wish. Not Leon. You started shaking your head, but Leon continued.
“Have you forgotten we both made a wish together? After our first battle against each other?”
Your heart thumped louder, soft flashbacks of the memory as you stood confident before a younger Leon with his little Charmander. You were smiling so proudly as your starter Pokémon stood triumphant before them.
“This marks my first victory! And after this, I will win every fight to be crowned Galar’s Champion! So meet me at the finals, Leon!”
That’s what you said to him, but you didn’t keep your promise five years ago…
“Yes, I remember… but Leon,”
Said champ watched as more tears fell with your head dropped low.
“I broke it. I broke my promise. How could I face you?”
You hated this feeling of letting Leon down, and the tears would not stop. How humiliating!!
!
Warm hands cupped your face, and a jolt of electricity shocked you once you felt something soft touch your forehead. Did Leon just…?
You bravely looked up to be met when something soft touched your lips! You gasped, but it was muted by Leon, who slowly pulled away from you. His face was flushed just as much as yours.
“Thank goodness. You stopped crying.”
You blinked rapidly, not believing what just happened.
“Leon?”
Said champ held you close, foreheads pressed against each other.
“Have you forgotten the wish I made that day?”
After your declaration, Leon was still sitting on the grass staring at you before he broke into a bright smile. He jumped to his feet and pointed straight at you!
“Don’t get so relaxed (Y/N)! This will be the only defeat I ever face here! Once I get all eight badges, I’ll sweep all the competition! And when I beat you in our rematch and wear the crown, I’ll tell you my big secret!!”
Your younger self blinked, seeing his strong smile and the bright pink on his face, too. You couldn’t be one up by Leon. It was your competitive nature.
“Then I’ll meet you in the finals! And when I hold up that trophy… I’ll tell you mine.”
Red took over both young kids, but you quickly swiped up your starter Pokémon and booked it out of the fields. You waved goodbye on your bike and pedaled fast to get to the fields and build up your powerful team! You had to be strong! Stronger after every battle you came across, or you couldn’t tell Leon… how you felt for him.
And that feeling never died.
“But Leon, I lose. That day, the semifinals… against Raihan.”
“You were very close.” Leon thought back on that day he claimed his big victory as Galar’s new champion. Everyone’s congratulations meant a lot to him, but nowhere near when he heard it from you. “You couldn’t look at me, and then you… left. Without a goodbye.”
You felt his grip on your face tighten, and you didn’t blame him for feeling left out. Sonia and your mother were the only ones who knew you were leaving the next day by boat to see the world.
You were ashamed of yourself, burning with ridicule, but once you landed in Hoenn, you focused on a new path that took Galar by surprise!
“But you came back, being carefree as always, and I could finally have our rematch.”
His strong gaze made you feel so weak. His thumbs, however, reassured your nerves.
“Even if you couldn’t keep your promise, I kept mine. We battled in the finals, and I still stood victorious and kept my crown!”
“You did…”
Disappointed with yourself, you lowered your eyes, but Leon had had enough of that! So he tried something else.
He let your face go, and you blinked from his warm hands, missing. The flutter of clothing shot into the air before it was draped over your shoulders.
You gawked at the champion’s cape now secured around your shoulders.
“Leon?”
“I know how much being a champion meant to you, but even if you had won against me today or five years ago, I still would have said what I’ve been wanting to say for years now.”
He gripped the sides of the cape to pull you up against him. He wanted no space between you.
“I love you.”
“Leon?!”
Immediately, your face turned red, but you could say nothing else when he kissed you again! Your heart was so loud it bounced everywhere inside your body. You whined from not receiving air to your lungs, and Leon parted from needing air himself. Resting foreheads, you both gasped for air, but his grip did not relinquish his hold on you.
When your eyes met again, it was too late: you were utterly weak and defeated once again by the champ.
“I wanted to say it first!” You lightly punched his chest. “The thought of taking you by shock was what drove me to battle when we were younger. Then finding my purpose… how could I stand beside you when you became champion?”
“(Y/N).”
“That’s why I left. To find out how I could shine just as bright.”
There, you said it. You finally admitted to him, and a weight you didn’t realize was there lifted. You slouched against him, feeling tired. You flinched from another loud thump, but before you could move away, Leon kept your fist there.
His heart was pounding just as loud and strong.
“(Y/N), being a top coordinator would never have stopped me from seeing you as my woman.”
The flush on your face grew. His claim on you was possessive and hot, but the Butterfrees in your belly were multiplying when he started kissing your face again. He hugged you tightly, not wanting to part from you again.
“I missed you so much.”
His soft words against your head had you all emotional again. It rang true to how you felt as well. You hugged the champ just as strongly, finally at peace.
“I missed you, too.”
You peeked up at the sky to see the tail end of a shooting star. You smiled, for you didn’t need it anymore. Your wish was now in your arms: the champion and the man you loved all rolled up into one named Leon.