Trust In Me [Pokemon]

Chapter 2: Battle Royal

"Why did I say that to him?! Even if he is strong, he's a part of Team Skull even if that Grunt said he isn't!" She brushed through her [long/short] locks, looking at her reflection through the cup of Tapu Cocoa.

"Don't fret too much about that guy, he's probably someone you won't meet a lot in the future," Hau sent her a grin while munching down on the Malasada in his hands. He offered her some but she kindly declined.

"But I have this sense that we'll meet again, the three of us."

"I'm in this too now?"

"Of course! Don't let what he said disturb you. You're your own individual Hau, never let the fact you're the grandson of a Kahuna bother you." She sent him a genuine smile.

"[Y/n]...." A small blush lingered on Hau's face and he turned away, quickly finishing the remains of his treat. He jumped off his seat and rubbed the back of his head, "I-I'll get going now [Y/n]! I uh, have to go train my Pokemon so I can battle you next time! Good luck!"

She sat there, blinking at Hau's sudden departure. She wondered if he was alright, but brushed it off as Hau probably just felt motivated and wanted to head to the next town first. She finished off her Tapu Cocoa and thanked the man, who kindly gave her some Poke Beans before leaving.

~*~*~

Curious bright eyes observed her surroundings of Royal Avenue. It was absolutely splendid with all the many colorful attractions around. She then thought of her Pokemon, she has to heal them first after that fight with Team Skull with the help of that girl with the Mudstale who introduced herself as Hapu. Her and her Mudstale had great partnership she had to admit, which only urged her on to becoming stronger.

Which lead to the Battle Royal Dome.

She couldn't contain her excitement as she rushed out the Pokemon Center, crying out a thanks to Nurse Joy for healing her Pokemon before heading to the arena. However, she stopped in her tracks, shock displayed over her facial features. It was Gladion. She didn't catch much to what he mumbled at the entrance and he walked in, causing her to snap out of her inner thoughts.

She followed after him and walked in, looking around at the huge place. It was like nothing she has ever seen. The blond male stood off to the side and she was about to approach him until a voice boomed towards her from above, "glad you could make it!"

She turned to the source of the shout and saw a masked man who was fit for something out of a wrestling match. He decended down the stairs and made eye contact with her, "I'm here today, yeah, to spread the word, oh yeah, about Battle Royal!" He decended down the stairs, "They call me... The Masked Royal! Woo!"

She gawked at him, "The Masked Royal?"

"The Masked Royal!" He repeated after her.

"Professor, if this is a joke..." A small animated sweat popped up on the side of her head while her face displayed one of unamusement in a comical manner. 

"What are you talking about? I'm The Masked Royal oh yeah! I'm here to teach you, oh yeah, about the battle format passed down in Alola for generations... The Pokemon Battle Royal woo!" He walked towards her figure who only stared blankly in return at his ruckus. " 'But Royal, what's the Battle Royal?', you might ask."

"I actually want to ask what are you do-"

"Four Trainers!"

"I was talki-"

"Four Trainers, yeah, each pick three Pokemon, yeah, for one big Pokemon battle, oh yeah!" She didn't even bother to ask him anymore. "When one Trainer's team can't battle anymore, yeah, the Battle Royal ends! Whichever Trainer has taken out the most Pokemon, yeah, and has the most Pokemon left, will emerge the winner. Woo!"

Dead silence followed as she processed what the man told her. She barely understood, but whatever. "First, just give it a shot! Pick your Pokemon, and let's do this!" Now we're talking. She was a fast learner when experiencing things hands on, so the unimportant stuff he shouted went in her ear and out the other. 

"Dude! It's the Masked Royal! I wanna battle! I wanna battle!" Hau ran over and grinned from upstairs, jumping slightly where he stood to display how excited he was.

The older male nodded and turned to Gladion, "you there! Come join the fun!" Gladion just sent him a glance towards the masked male before he turned around again, "I'll be in the mix, too, yeah. And now we have a foursome. Woo!"

Hau's face displayed one of shock and the young female jumped at his words. He sure has a way of putting his words. A tiny blush formed on her cheeks, "uh- I don't think that's a good way of putting it-"

"Discovery! New experiences! Adventure! It's all yours if you want it! It's time for a Battle Royal! Ready... Fight!" He then rushed off into the stadium, Hau quickly running down from the upper floor and following after. 

She shook her head before turning to Gladion who began walking towards the extrance of the arena. She waited for him to catch up to her and walked besides him, "you ready for this?"

"Null and I have been here plenty of times, we are always ready for new challenges."

"I wish you luck then!" She tilted her head and sent him a bright smile, causing him to stop in his tracks. She stopped walking and turned towards him, "is something wrong?"

Gladion snapped out of it and turned away, doing his signature pose with his hand over his face while not making eye contact, "it's nothing, let's just get going."

"Give it your all then! I'll do my best too!" She ran in happily while the blond haired boy sighed out in relief, satisfied that she didn't notice the blush forming on his pale cheeks. He couldn't help the stare, the way her face was so- He shook his head, and headed into the stadium, quickly being welcomed by the immense crowd there.

~*~*~

"[Y/n] you're so strong! Battle me sometime will you?" Hau had his hands behind his head as usual as he walked out with the [h/c]-ette.

She acted as if she was pondering about it but then smiled, "sure thing Hau, just name the time and place."

"Alright! How about after the trial? Or even now!? Well not now, I will have to get stronger, so I'll see you then [Y/n]!" Hau ran towards the entrance and stops, turning around to wave at her before rushing out again.

She lets out a light laugh before feeling someone staring at her. She turned to Gladion who huffed, "I guess you've gotten stronger."

"I can beat you anyday."

"You're pretty confident, your confidence isn't going to lead you anywhere."

"Well, your independency isn't going to lead you anywhere either. I have confidence in my Pokemon, even if you do depend on Null. However, try putting faith in others more, it's more fun when you hang out with others. Try coming out of your shell sometime, or I'll take action and invade your personal world myself." 

"..." Gladion stood quiet, staying deep in thought. This was the first he has actually felt something warm within him, besides his times when he was at the foundation, when his family was actually connected. He felt something flutter within his chest, but he chose to brush it away, he didn't need any of these distractions within him.

"I guess I should get going now, I have to prepare for Kiawe's trial, see you soon Gladion," she began walking away, waving her hand at him while not looking back. With each step she took, her distance between the male began to increase.

Gladion was tempted to reach out to her and pull her back, but he stopped himself. This girl is beginning to mess with him, and he doesn't like it one bit. He feels as if he will meet her way more often, which will only end up with his downfall. He balled his hands into fists besides him while casting his look down to the floor. He would never admit it but...

He felt lonely...