From The Ground Up (A Heart Of A Champion Prequel)

Chapter 19- Leaving off where we continued

I leisurely walked out of the stadium, and turned back to look at it one more time. Heh. I can't believe I made all this happen, not to say that I did it all by myself, I didn't, but man... I was startled as a white blur attached itself to me. I laughed, "Heh, you scared me Lil." She smiled as she looked up at me, "Heh. Sorry. I'm just so happy to see you." I picked her up in my arms and she screamed in surprise but then started laughing. "Hey!!" She protested.  I laughed, and then hopped on the. Charizard with her in my arms. I looked down at her and asked, "Hey where's Elio? Is he staying with someone?" She nodded, "Yeah. Your Mom wanted to have a day with him so he's over there." I smiled and took off, apparently I was flying pretty smoothly because Lillie fell asleep in my arms during the 10 minute trip. We arrived in our front yard and I carried her up to our room somehow without waking her. I laid her down gently in the bed and then went downstairs to watch the news. I had a feeling there would be something I'd want to see. I was right. There was a huge celebration in the streets of Malie City celebrating my victory today. Similar celebrations of slightly smaller scale were also happening in Hau'Oli and HeaHea on their respective islands. There were people jumping up and down excitedly and alolan flags waving all over the place. Confetti shooting all over the place. People were chanting my name and occasionally an Alolan fight song in between it. I smiled as I watched it all unfold. Kukui called me that moment and I picked up, "Kukui? Need help with Lei again?" He responded, "No- are you seeing this?" I looked again at the TV, "If you mean the celebrations then yeah, it's crazy." Kukui replied, "Sure is. Burnet and I were with them out there for a little bit, everyone is so energized and happy Sun. This really is my dream. Thank you so much Sun." I chuckled, "Hey. I couldn't do any of it without any of you." Kukui chuckled, "I appreciate your humility Sun, but you're the most talented trainer I've ever battled or watched. I didn't help you at all." I sighed, "You and Lillie are both like broken records. You know that if she didn't motivate me to do this I wouldn't, and you also know that if you weren't so passionate about this I would've moved to Kanto." Kukui sighed, "Whatever you say. Just know everyone in Alola is so happy, and if you manage to bring us a second title... you'll become a legend. Go for it Sun. You deserve it. I'll see you soon."  He hung up and I sat back on the couch. I put my hands behind my head and relaxed on the couch. Lillie came downstairs moments later dressed in a white t-shirt and pajama pants. She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. "Why'd you let me fall asleep? I wanted to spend all night with you while we were alone.." I patted the couch cushion next to me, hoping she'd come sit down by me. She did and huffed as she did. I put my arm around her, "I'm sorry love, you were sleeping so peacefully. I didn't know." She sighed, "You don't mind staying up and spending some time together do you?" I shook my head, "Not at all. Whatever you want me to do with you we can do it." She smiled, "You want to make some snacks and watch a movie?" I nodded, "Sure, I'll get the popcorn started." Lillie followed me in to the kitchen and got us some waters after I poured the popcorn equally in to 2 bowls. Ninetales came downstairs and looked around, he seemed frantic, "Oh. Ninetales, it's ok, Elio is with Mom. He's alright, you can take the night off." The Ninetales eased up, I guess he understands me to some degree. Lillie sat down on the couch and I joined her. Moments later Ninetales jumped up and curled up on Lillie's lap. She aww'd and then began to stroke the Ninetales as it fell asleep there. I smiled, "Heh. What a saint." Lillie planted a kiss on my cheek, "Any preferences for a movie tonight?" I shook my head, "Not really, you can pick whatever you want, I'm just happy to spend time with you." Lillie stopped for a moment, "Actually, I've been wanting to ask you something- nothing important- I just, I don't know much about what you did before you moved here. What was it like?" I shrugged, "Nothing special. At school I told everyone I'd be the best trainer in Kanto some day. That was my dream. They of course doubted me. I didn't have many friends or anything, so it wasn't all that hard to move away, losing my Dad for longer periods of time was hard though. I suppose in the long run I never was the best trainer in Kanto, but I doubt any of them talk much about their doubts nowadays. What about you? You told me some on Exeggutor Island, but is there anything else?" Lillie tilted her head, "Wait- you didn't have many friends? You're such a likeable person..." I shrugged, "I was born in Kanto but I'm an Alolan through and through. In Kanto, when you're young you get friends by being an overachiever, someone who seems like they'll be successful. I didn't. I was just a kid with dreams bigger than my limits." Lillie sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that... I think you're the best." I shrugged, "I wouldn't take back a thing about my life as long as I still end up here with you." Lillie smiled, "I love you Sun." I smiled, "I love you too Lillie." She giggled, "I never get tired of hearing that. Now you wanted to hear about my past..." I put my arm around her and she rested her head on my shoulder as I replied, "If you're willing to share. If not it's ok." She sighed, "I don't talk about it, only because I don't want people to feel sorry for me. In fact I never have told anyone this before, but...I trust you and love you more than anyone else so... Anyway when Gladion and I were growing up, you know how well loved we were. Mother loved us so much, and she loved dad too... the problem came when Dad became obsessed with ultra space... He... He left us to go do that research...and he never came back. It broke Mother, it broke Gladion too, I wasn't broken completely because I was very young still. But both my mother and Gladion were never the same. They were angry and bitter. Mother became obsessed with ultra space as well, to try to find Dad. That's how she came in contact with the Nihilego that poisoned her and made her completely evil. As for Gladion, he saw the horrible experaments they were doing to create an Ultra Beast Killer... Just in case we needed one... And he stole it. That's his Silvally. That's why no one else has one, because those people made it. Gladion was able to escape with it, but left me alone with Mother, who made no attempt to hide what she was doing to poor Nebby... And I just felt horrible watching it so I stole it away like Gladion. I... Sort of passed out trying to swim away, thankfully though I washed up on the shore of the Professors' house, and they took me in. So I guess for once in my life I got lucky. And then for the second time I got lucky when a woman and her son moved right in next to us not too long after." She said with a wistful look in her eyes and a smile. I ran my hand through her hair. "Heh. I couldn't believe it, after we talked the first time I knew I wanted to be your friend. You were just so genuinely nice to me, and most people weren't." She smiled, "That's why I liked you too! Heh." I rubbed her shoulder and replied, "And for that I am thankful. As long as I have you I'll have joy." At that time we were both pretty tired so we said our goodnight wishes and then fell asleep together.

Author's Note

And that should do it for this book! I can't believe I turned a little vision I had in my head of an all champions tournament in Pokemon (Believe it or not I've had this idea since before I knew Pokemon Journeys was following a similar path) in to a whole series like this. Enough about me though, this is quite literally nothing without those of you who have taken the time out of your day to support this series. And for that I am eternally grateful!

What's next for the series? As usual I'm going to say nothing for now, and then probably release something a couple months down the road. But more than likely I'll be done releasing things for a while. That is unless there is some kind of renewed interest in one of my other already finished projects within this universe. Personal side note, one of my writing teachers a few years ago said my writing wouldn't be good or entertaining enough to ever be an author, now I'm writing below average books, that'll show them. Seriously though, I can't thank you all enough!

Ayyyyyyy we also made #1 in UltraSunandUltraMoon, you guys are seriously the best, don't know what else to say at this point, it's just really overwhelming in a good way! (Weird side note, Book 1 has a lot of #1s, Book 3 now has a #1, but poor Book 2 never got one, honestly reflects how I feel about the quality of each.)

List of #1s (It's still growing what the heck)

#1 UltraSunandUltraMoon

#1 SunxLillie

#1 ShiningSunShipping