𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕆𝕗 𝔾𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕣 | 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝒆𝒐𝒏

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 44: 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒎𝒑

"What do you mean the gates were closed?" I yelp into my pokédex, "I mean that Team Yell closed them when Piers wasn't looking." Gloria rephrased. "Is Piers there now?" I question, "Yeah," She mumbles, "Put him on the phone." I demand. There's silence on her end for a minute, "He says no." She informs, "Tell him he won't get his sister's Gym Challenge Opening Ceremony pictures if he doesn't take the phone." I huff. I listen to Gloria relay my threat before there's a shuffle, and I hear him take the phone. "Listen here simp, you better pull your shit together. We are too far in this Gym Challenge to go sideways, and I'm to my throat with other responsibilities. Please for the love of Arceus keep that team of yours under control." I plead, Piers let out a long dramatic sigh, "Okay, mom." He scoffs sarcastically. "Now hand the phone back to Gloria," I sigh rubbing my head with my free hand.

"Gloria honey?" I call when I hear her take the phone, "Leon and I are just outside the city for business, why don't you come see us?" I offer. "Sure," she chimes, "I'll see you then," I muse before hanging up. I look over to Leon with a tired smile, "I'm going to be so happy when this Gym Challenge is over." I groan. "Me too," He grunts, "Leon, are you sure the Chairman isn't working you too hard? There's been three Dynamax incidents this week alone." I worry, looking at the man who looks like he could sleep where he stands.

"I'll be fine (y/n), The Chairman said he's bringing in the Professor today." He mumbles tiredly, "That doesn't guarantee a fix to all these giant Pokémon popping up." I warn. "But it's a start," He replies, "Just don't kill yourself doing this Leon." I whisper, "I'll make it through if I get to come home to you." He smiles. I roll my eyes, "That's so cheesy." I scoff, "But it's true." He grins. Leon and I make it just outside Spikemouth and there at the gates is Gloria, I smile and open my arms as she comes running. I wrap my arms around her, thanking the Pokémon god above she's fine.

"Wow look at you, you've gotten bigger." I smile pushing some hair out of her face, "An inch and a half if I'm right," Leon smiles. "I will never understand how your eyesight is just that good." I muse before looking down at Gloria. "So what now? Raihan?" I question, "Yep!" She pops, "Great! Leon and I have been stationed there for a few days, I'll make sure to watch your match." I chime. "Really?" She gasps, "I did endorse you honey, I need to watch at least one of your matches before you face Leon. And what better match to watch than you beating Raihan into the dirt?" I grin. "You don't have to be so mean about it." Leon butts in, "Oh? Says the rival he just loves to mouth off to." I snort. Leon scratches his cheek with a small smile before a doom goes off, "and that's our cue." I sigh.

"Go ahead and go over to Hammerlocke honey, I'll be there in time to watch your match." I promise. Gloria nods before trotting off, I look over at Leon who watches her leave, golden eyes narrowed in on her. "I'm glad it's her," He spoke up, "What?" I question, he doesn't get to respond before another boom goes off. Our conversation is never finished as Leon goes to take care of the giant rogue Pokémon.

However after it's settled Leon and I rush back to Hammerlocke where we meet up with Gloria, Sonia, and Hop. Thankfully the two are only now just getting ready to take on Raihan. Much to my surprise Professor Magnolia pops in, I knew she was here but I assumed the Chairman would keep her busy. So while Sonia and her Gran went off to do some research about these random Gigamaxing Pokémon, I told Leon to rest back at the hotel, before I followed Gloria into her gym challenge. Being a member of the league I got to watch from the sideline, with my pokédex in hand I snapped some pretty cool pictures of the battle, but in the end. Raihan lost.

After Gloria received her badge Hop came running in, "I'm ready!" He shouts, Raihan looks over at me with a smirk. Oh boy, That battle lasted a bit longer than the battle between Raihan and Gloria, but Raihan definitely gave Hop a run for his money. In the end Hop got by, with a large beaming grin that infected me and a large sum of pictures to show Leon and send to his mother later. After his match we met back up outside where Gloria, Sonia, and her Gran all stood talking. I gasp at the sight of Sonia wearing her very own lab coat.

"Congrats!" I cheer, running over and taking her hands in mine, "Thanks," She laughs twirling her hair around her finger. "Look at you Professor Sonia!" I chime out, "Well do a spin! Let's see!" I gush, Sonia giggles as she does as I ask. "Wow, everyone is moving up in the world." I sigh out crossing my arms. Before I get another word in my pokédex chimes with a message saying Leon is cleared to head back to Wyndon. "Alright you two come here," I call to the kids, "I gotta get Leon back to Wyndon, I'll see you guys there when you take him on okay? I'm counting on at least one of you to beat him, okay?" I laugh pulling them both into a hug. "Yeah alright, we got it Sis," Hop grumbles. I snort and press a kiss to each of their heads before rushing off to the hotel to collect Leon.

Leon and I took a taxi back to Wyndon but both of us we're far too tired to care if the tin box was rocking to and from. "What did you mean earlier when you said you were glad it's Gloria?" I whisper, my head resting on his shoulder as he leans against the seat with his cape draped over the both of us. "I'm glad it's Gloria who's Hop's rival, but I just can't shake this itch that she's...That she's gonna be the one." He mumbles, "I know I should be thinking of Hop and supporting Hop, but all my instincts are saying watch out for Gloria." He sighs. "Does that make me a terrible brother? When he's trying so hard and I can't find myself threatened by him?" Leon questions, "No, it makes you a Champion. You can't always be both Lee. You sure as hell are doing a good job trying but at the end of the day you're one or the other. I think what matters is what you choose to be when all is said and done." I advise softly.

"And if I'm being honest I know what you mean, about Gloria." I whisper, "I saw it, that look in her eye when we first met. There was no wonder to her, no spark, but when she picked her Pokémon I realized that she's not a spark. She full flesh fire Leon, of power and passion. I couldn't recall where I remember seeing that look, but now that we're talking about it I think I know..." I ramble. "Where?" He questions, "In you, the way your eyes sparkle at the thought of a challenge, at the thought of finally finding something that can give you the thrill of all or nothing." I whisper looking up at him.

"So, you think she'll be the one to face me?" He questions quietly, "I know so, Leon." I affirm, "The real question is, are you ready to face her?" I whisper. "You know I am," He shot back hotly, "But it just feels different this year, like something is going to end, and I'm not sure what. I'm scared to think about it." He confesses. "Have you ever thought about doing something bigger, Leon, being more than just simply a champion? Can you make your dreams come true by just being a Champion?" I question, Leon remains quiet, "I had to ask myself those same questions once upon a time. And you know what I've learned?" I quip.

Leon looks down my eyes begging for answers I don't have, "That sometimes people hold onto things and sometimes it may turn out okay for them, but it won't ever be as great as it could have been if they had just let go. I think a part of the reason why people hold onto something so tightly is because they're afraid nothing as great will ever happen twice." I start, "I'm not telling you what you should do Leon, but I will say this. You shouldn't ever be afraid to let something go if you ever feel like it's time. Other things will happen, better things, you just have to be brave and let yourself look for it." I finish.

"I think...I think I understand." Leon mumbles, "Good now get some rest, you have a title to defend tomorrow, and while my speech may have suggested otherwise. Don't just let go it Leon, not without a fight, not when it comes to this. That title better be ripped from your hands, if you get beat tomorrow." I hiss. A grin breaks across Leon's face, "Yes ma'am," He mocks, but I knew from the sparkle in his eyes he took me seriously.

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