The Knight In Shining Armor// Pokemon Sword and Shield Fanfic

8

Ahhh 200 reads thanks so much!!! <3 also just bought the isle of armor expansion pass so I'm super excited to play it
When I woke up, it was dark. I felt something fluffy against the side of my face. My eyes adjusted to the dark and I saw Leon laying beside me, an arm still around me. He was out cold. The memories of what happened before I fell asleep came flooding back. I gently and quietly sat up and noticed my hair was in a side braid, assuming Leon did that. I reached for my phone on the stand beside the bed and saw it was 2 in the morning. When I turned it back off, I saw Leon's eyes flutter open.
"Stomach hurt?"
"What? No it's feeling better,"
"That's good, try and go back to sleep," he said. "I'll leave if you want,"
"No, stay. Please,"
He gave a small smile before sitting up and turning the lamp on the other bedside table on.
"You're not going back to sleep are you?" How'd he figure it out?
"Not right now. What happened after I fell asleep?"
"Well, you crashed at like 7 in the evening. I watched TV for like an hour, Raihan came over and dropped something off, I played with your pokemon for a bit because I assumed they needed let out of their pokeballs for a while. I fell asleep at like 11. Didn't want to leave you alone,"
"Oh," I paused a minute. "You're good company, this isn't a burden to you, is it?"
"Not at all, I like hanging out with you, you're fun and spontaneous. So many people these days are uptight and downers, you seem like a free spirit,"
"Oh yeah, how am I a free spirit?"
"I don't know, you just kinda go with what you want to do, not what everyone else does. And you do stuff just because you can, Raihan told me about the wild area. You do you without a second thought, and like that,"
"You're the first person to ever like my impulsive and dramatic behaviours,"
"I wouldn't say its dramatic. You're your own person and you do what you do, no changing that,"
I stood up and stretched my legs, having not moved for hours. They were shaky from having not been able to keep food down for over a full day.
"You seem to be feeling better,"
"Yeah, I'm still shaky though,"
Leon stood up and grabbed his keys from his pockets.
"I'm going to go change into something more comfortable and get a shower, do you want me to come back?"
"Unless you want to go back to sleep, you can come back over,"
"Well, you have me wide away awake now so I guess I'll be back,"
Leon left and I got out Popplio and Eevee. I fed them and let them hang out for a while. Leon eventually came back over with a sweatshirt and joggers on, and no baseball cap. His purple hair flowing freely. I guess he didn't wash it. He came over and sat next to Eevee on the bed, who had taken a liking to him. She lied down, her head in his lap.
"So, what do you want to do?"
"Is it a normal occurrence you're up at 2 in the morning?"
I thought about it for a second. "Not normally, but I'm not going back to sleep anytime soon,"
"Well, I don't really know what to do,"
"Neither do I," I smiled wide. "Want to see Popplio's trick?"
"Yes," he said, smiling. I motioned for Popplio to flip and he chirped before doing a backflip.
"Wow, he's a fun little guy. My Charizard used to he fun like that. Now he's big and competitive, a bit too serious sometimes, but I wouldn't trade him for anything,"
"I hope my pokemon can always have fun, I don't want them to take battling too serious. I'm really nervous for my gym challenge,"
"I was 10 when I did mine, and it was a while back so a lot could have changed. I also had a different water and dragon gym leader, so that might make a difference. If you train and grow strong with your pokemon, not much can stop you,"
"Thanks,"
"So, what did you do in Kalos? Since you didn't raise and train pokemon,"
"Well, I was a barista in a cafe in Lumiose City,"
"So you make pretty good coffee?"
"Haha, I suppose. I also used to be a performer. I've done a lot of dance, instrumentals and singing,"
"Oh yeah? That's really cool, what instruments did you play?"
"Um, I played a good bit of guitar and piano, but specialized in flute. I did some street performance with guitar occasionally in my down time,"
"That's interesting, I've not really met any sort of musicians or anything,"
"Popplio likes to listen to me play flute, I could play a little something for you sometime? He also enjoys my singing,"
"Yes, I'd love that, looking forward to it,"
"What about you? What do you do whenever you're not battling or training?"
"I have a lot of meetings and press conferences, from marketing to improving quality of life and pollution control, as well as energy conservation. I don't really understand what I have to do with a lot of it, but I guess I'm the face of the propaganda. I just have to be present and look confident and it makes my manager and boss happy,"
"So, the only part of being champion you understand is your pokemon?"
"Pretty much. I've given up on understanding the rest, it doesn't seem like I need to. Oh, another thing is inspiring and promoting the growth of aspiring trainers. I'm good at that,"
"I bet you are. Doesn't it feel weird not knowing what exactly you're being used to advertise?"
"I guess so, but I'm told to go with it or I could be fired,"
"You can be fired from being the champion? Don't you have to lose to do that?"
"Well, being solely the champion doesn't mean much, its the power and respect you have among people of the region that has meaning, and I'm not trying to lose my title and influence, because my goal is to make the Galar trainers the strongest in the world, so if I have to listen to their rules and advertising, I'll do it,"
"Woah, that's like the most selfless thing I've ever heard. You deserve to stay on top if that's what you want to use your power for,"
"Heh, thanks,"
"Do you know what exactly it is that my dad does as the chairman? I don't really understand what it means,"
"Well, he's my boss. He manages the league and does marketing as well as is pretty much the top guy in the region, sort of like the president,"
"Wow, so like everyone knows him? Has- has he ever said anything about having a daughter?"
"Yeah. A few times. He'd occasionally mention something about you, but never went into much detail. Once, he told me what he'd do to see you again,"
"Seriously? I always assumed he'd just left and forgot about me,"
"No, he definitely didn't. He has a picture of a very young girl, you, I assume. You look about 4 in it, and you're sitting on his lap, the biggest grin on your face," Leon said, looking across the room as he remembered. "You look a lot like him, with the eyes. And your face shape, pretty similar,"
"I look a lot like him and hardly like my mom. The blonde hair is it, really. Do you look like either of your parents?"
"My mom, brother and I all look identical with the eyes, hair and skin tone. My dad was a bit lighter and had black hair,"
"Yeah, I saw your brother with another kid, in the lobby I mean,"
"That's Hop, and his friend is Victor. I gave them both starter pokemon and endorsed them, and I asked Victor to be Hop's rival. Push him a little, y'know. Maybe you need a rival,"
"Can I be my own rival? My mom always told me I was my own worst enemy,"
"I had 2 rivals when I did the gym challenge, I met Raihan after a couple gyms, and then I had Sonia. She was the region's professor's granddaughter, so I grew up with her. We became trainers together and traveled with one another too. She ended up giving up towards the end of the gym challenge though, not sure why. She was always a tough competitor. To be honest, I always had a bit of a crush on her,"
At the mention of Sonia, I felt my chest tighten and suddenly got frustrated. Was I really getting jealous of his childhood best friend when I'd only met him a couple weeks ago?
"Can't relate. I didn't have many friends, and if I did, all we did was hang out or explore the woods together. No one I could actually rely on, y'know,"
"Understandable. You can find out who you can trust when you go through struggle," he stood up and stretched out his legs. "I'm kind of hungry, you up to eat anything?"
"I don't really have any food in here,"
"Let's go buy a frozen pizza or something then,"
"Is there a store anywhere around here?"
"You're asking the wrong person,"
"Well I'll look it up then," I said as I picked up my phone, seeing I had a text.
Raihan- when you're feeling better, want to try training in the wild area again, no running away this time?
Me- yeah
I found a convenience store about a block away.
"Okay how safe is it to walk from here to about a block away at night?"
"Who knows, but we'll be fine,"
So we put on shoes and jackets and left the hotel. I had my Popplio on my hip just in case. Leon had some pokemon called Haxorous with him. We made our way down the street and to the store, bought a frozen pizza, and after we checked out, a couple fans recognized Leon. I ducked outside to try and avoid being questioned. Outside, there was a girl and a pokemon that resembled Pikachu, and a couple of bigger guys in black and pink costumes beside her.
"Hey! You were at the Gym Challenge ceremony! That means you're a threat!" One of the guys shouted as he lunged forward to me. I tapped my hip and Popplio came out, letting out his cry. The girl jumped in front of the guy, saying something about not being allowed to do this to a competitor. As the group walked in the opposite direction, Leon came out.
"What's Popplio doing out?"
"Oh, I got lonely," I said in an unconvincing tone.
"Okay then, ready to go back?"
We went back to the hotel, where we warmed up and ate the pizza, Leon forcing me to take it slow in order to not upset my stomach.
"What's the matter, champ? Getting tired?"
Leon let out a light chuckle before a yawn.
"A bit,"
"Go back to your room and sleep then, I'm fine,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'll get enough fluids and rest mother," I jokingly said. Leon gave a soft smile before leaving. Eventually, I went to sleep too, knowing I needed to get some training in tommorow.
I woke up to my phone ringing the next day.
"Do you not know how to text me back?" A voice demanded.
"W-what?"
"Oh, you were asleep. My bad. I'm on my way to Motostoke now if you wanted to head to the wild area with me for the afternoon before you travel to Turrfield for the gym," it was Raihan.
"Yeah, text me when you get here,"
I cleaned up my stuff from my room and headed down to the lobby, where there were a few similar people from last night outside of the store. 2 guys and a girl in black and pink and the same girl that told them to let me be last night.
"Hey, you!" The girl said, coming over. She had a distinct accent that happened to match exactly as she looked.
"Um, hi," I said, unsure of what she'd say to me.
"I'm sorry 'bout last night, with them. They like to cheer me on and do whatever they can to help me win, though I don't need it. They're pretty harmless,"
"Oh, it's okay. You're a gym challenger too?"
"Yep, I come from Spikemuth and I'm becoming the champion, you can have a league card, if you'd want. I've got an extra," she said, handing me a card before her and her people left.
I looked down at the trading card ordeal, seeing a picture of her and the name Marnie and a number. On the back was a little bio. I've never seen leagues have these. I put it in my wallet and left the hotel, seeing Raihan down the street coming towards me. I gave a light smile and waved.
"Hey sweetheart, not gonna throw up on me right?"
"Hey, and no I'm good now,"
"So I've heard. I also heard a certain someone spent most of the day and night with you,"
"Whatever, he was just being nice, also I told him about my dad,"
"No that's beyond Leon nice, and really? What'd he think?"
"I mean, he seemed surprised and a little confused but he was nice and comforting about it,"
"Of course he was,"
"Do you really think he likes me?"
"Definitely sweetheart. He talked to me for a few while you were out cold and I had dropped something off, and he said you're the cutest thing he's ever seen," I frowned.
"Is all he cares about is looks?"
"No, he also said you were kind of complicated and mysterious, but also funny and really sweet,"
"Oh, so why are you spilling all of your friends secrets?"
"Because you guys will probably never date or something, he's not one for all the celebrity spotlight and drama for whoever's he's with. He's not had a girl in almost 3 years because of the negative media coming with it," I looked down as we approached the wild area. "So I felt I could tell you just so you know, if that makes sense,"
"Yeah, I get it,"
Raihan stopped as we got off the stairs and were in a different part of the wild area. He lifted up my chin, my eyes meeting his.
"Don't take it personally, Sylvia. I've not seen Leon like someone as much as he seems to like you, but he just isn't into the whole celebrity drama and wouldn't want to hurt you with the media backlash. But I could be wrong,"
"I asked my dad to prevent it from being known that I'm his daughter because people will assume that I'm only in the gym challenge and set to be a gym leader because of him, so I guess I understand the media thing,"
"Social media can be a great thing, but also super harmful, that's why I use mine carefully?"
"Posting selfies from battles is careful?"
"People love that stuff and eat it up, I'm a social media influencer, people pay me to advertise and this and that, so I've got plenty of eyes waiting for me to mess up," he paused for a moment. Then we started training, going over basic attack and dodging patterns. We worked for hours, and I could start to feel what my pokemon felt, understanding how they moved. When nightfall hit, Raihan said we should call it a day, walking me back to the hotel.
"Alright, probably won't see much or each other for a while as I gotta whip my gym into shape. So here's my advice, go with your gut in battling, works pretty well. This whole gym challenge is also a TV show, so give some personality, give the audience someone to route for and love as you become a gym leader yourself. And have fun, don't push yourself or your pokemon too far,"
"Is that how you became the great Raihan?"
"And some stuff I've acquired over the years, you're welcome. Travel safe, sweetheart. Don't be afraid to call or text," he called as he walked off. I went into the hotel and crashed, preparing to get up early and travel tommorow.
I made the trek clear to Turrfield and my time to challenge the gym wouldn't be until 8 at night. I texted Raihan.
Me- my battle isn't until 8 tonight, what do I do
Raihan- relax, maybe watch some other fights on the TV, don't try and push your pokemon too hard if you do some training
Me- okay
Raihan- nervous?
Me- a bit
Raihan- control your breathing, and try to relax. Don't show any signs of nervousness or fear, reports will kill you in the rankings for that
Me- you're scaring me more than anything
Raihan- my bad sweetheart. Good luck tonight, I'll be watching from home
I decide to go check on the view that someone mentioned, finding I wasn't the only one up there. There was a girl with orange hair who looked a bit older than me, and had an adorable electric dog pokemon with her.
"Your pokemon is really cute," I said quietly as I stood near her, gazing over the hillside. 
"Aw, thank you! Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah sure,"
"What do you make of the stones and hieroglyphics?"
"Um, I'm not sure? Something historical, maybe a riddle leading to secret treasure like in the movies?"
The girl looked down, seeming deep in thought.
"Oh, I'm sorry. That's a very interesting take on it. See, I'm researching the history of Galar, and this thing called the darkest day, and I need multiple views to work with,"
"Oh, that's really neat. I'm just trying to keep myself busy before my gym challenge,"
"That's understandable, I can relate to the nervous energy. I participated in the gym challenge with a childhood friend because I'd always had a crush on him, but discovered how much I loved and admired pokemon along the way,"
"Aw, that's really sweet,"
"Anyway, I'd better get going, so I'll see you around. By the way, I'm Sonia," she said as she ran off. This couldn't be the same Sonia Leon was talking about, could it? As I matched up her timeline to his, my heart sank and jealousy took over.