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

13

I stood waiting in the tunnel to go out. The announcer called my name and I walked out, seeing the audience was a bit larger and louder from Turrfield. I took my position across from Nessa, exchanging some greeting before starting. I sent Popplio out, Nessa tossing out Goldeen.
"Alright, Popplio, start with Tackle!" I commanded, Popplio leaping into the opponent. The Goldeen went to counter, but Popplio hit really hard. Goldeen used water pulse, Popplio absorbing the attack and firing back with icy wind, knocking the pokemon out. Between pokemon, Popplio looked back to seek my approval. I gave a slight smile and nodded, giving him all he needed to turn around for the next pokemon.
Nessa sent out Arrokuda, a weird looking fish pokemon.
"Arrokuda, aqua jet!"
Before I could bat an eye, the fish pokemon darted towards Popplio with a water barrier around it, drilling right into Popplio, pushing him back. Popplio winced a bit as he got himself up before meeting my eye with a determined look.
"Disarming voice!" Popplio let out a not so wonderful sound, hurting the Arrokuda. He went for whirlpool, trapping Popplio. I called for another disarming voice, then noticed how hurt he was getting from the whirlpool. Arrokuda went for aqua jet again, almost knocking Popplio out. He held on just enough to use one last disarming voice, causing Arrokuda to faint. I let out a small sigh of relief before remembering Nessa's 3rd pokemon. I called back Popplio before throwing Eevee out, immediately Dynamaxing. Nessa did the same with a pokemon called Drednaw. She shouted something about flooding the stadium and I hoped she wasn't serious.
Eevee started off with Max Strike, not particularly hurting the Drednaw much. I bit my lip, worried Drednaw will hit hard. He used Max Rockfall, summoning a giant rock to crush Eevee with, almost one-hitting her.
"Hang on, Eevee!" I shouted about the chanting crowd. The feelings of guilt and pain came back to me from when I challenged a gym the first time in Kalos. Fear for the pokemon, guilt for letting it get hurt. I quickly broke away from the flashback, glancing up into the press box. I saw Leon talking to someone, maybe a reporter or announcer. He didn't seem to be paying close enough attention for the reassuring look like last time, so I collected myself.
"All you got now, Eevee! Another Max Strike!" I called. Eevee mustered all of her strength into the move, hurting the Drednaw more than last time, but not enough. A pit formed in my stomach, anticipating what was coming next. I said a silent apology in advance. Drednaw used Max Rockfall again, it being plenty to knock Eevee out. The red energy surrounding her faded as she came back to normal size before falling over. I quickly pulled her pokeball out and called her back before grabbing Popplio's, holding it close to my mouth.
"You're the last hope, buddy," I whispered before throwing the pokeball out. "Aqua jet, quick!" I shouted. Popplio darted itself towards the giant turtle pokemon, hitting harder than I thought. I clenched my fist, hoping he could take this hit. One more attack, and Drednaw would be finished. Drednaw used Max Geyser, unleashing this powerful beam of water onto Popplio. I held my breathe as the beam reached my partner, him half taking it, half absorbing the water. Rain began to fall from the top of the stadium barrier. After that, Drednaw's dynamax ended, returning him to the original size. I relaxed myself a bit, feeling that one more hit will end him.
"Aqua tail! Finish it!" I shouted, Popplio darting himself into Drednaw, the turtle collapsed. He was called back to his pokeball, and I was declared the winner. I ran over and picked up Popplio.
"I'm so sorry, Popplio. You too Eevee. You guys fought hard!" I said proudly. I called Popplio back to his ball before meeting Nessa in the middle. She gave me the water badge and congratulated me, looking angered to have lost.
I kept my expression until I got into the tunnel, then practically sprinted back to the locker room, changing as quick as possible to get out of the gym and to a pokemon center as soon as possible. Reporters attempted to stop me in the lobby, but I ignored them and rushed out of the front of the stadium and down the street, spotting a pokemon center.
As my pokemon were resting, I sat around inside for a little bit, not bothering to check my phone. The conflicted feeling came back, still unsure why. I didn't feel much different after the battle ended, and I didn't really care that I'd won. It didn't feel that great winning.
"Sylvia," The nurse called. I'd stood up and started to head over to the counter, seeing she had my pokeballs. I thanked her and put Popplio's ball in my bag and letting Eevee out. She jumped into my arms and I carried her back over to where I was sitting.
"How are you feeling? I'm sorry I let you faint," I told her sadly. She let out a chirp and nuzzled her face into mine, forgiving me. I gave her a smile and she returned it, her ears back and continuing to rub against me. I reached into my bag to grab Popplio's ball, letting him out too. He happily came over and sat beside me, cheerfully flipping.
"Good job today buddy," I told him with scratching his head. He let out a little cry and joyfully rubbing against my side. "You guys both did great,"
We stayed in the pokemon center for a little longer. I got myself a snack and drink, as well as a couple of treats for my pokemon before heading back outside, unsure of what to do next.
I stepped outside of the pokemon center, greeted by Oleana patiently waiting there.
"Miss Sylvia, the Chairman is waiting for you," she said, her expression as stoic as ever.
"You've been following me then?"
"Only because he wants to see you for lunch. Come," she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. I quickly jerked away.
"Don't touch me," I said coldly. She removed her hand and led me toward a seafood restaurant nearby, taking me inside. Surprisingly, there wasn't anyone else inside except for my dad in some atrocious outfit. I walked over to the table he was at as he stood up to greet me.
"Outstanding job on your match, darling," he said, wrapping his arms around me gently. Funny to think he truly believes I did well in then match, but I nodded as I sat down across from him.
"What's with the outfit?" I asked, confused by the whole situation.
"As the Chairman is very famous, he must wear inconspicuous clothing to avoid attracting crowds. Hence why the restaurant is empty as well," Oleana answered.
"Must you follow him around like a lost Growlithe? Do you have nothing better to do?" I asked rudely. My dad's expression turned to shock.
"Sylvia, don't be so rude! What's gotten into you?"
"I don't like her,"
"Well that's too bad. You'll have to deal with people you don't like your entire life, get used to it," he lectured. I rolled my eyes. "Lighten up,"
We had lunch and I did my best to not seem angry and cold. He talked to me more about gym stuff, what I've been up to, what he's been up to.
"One final matter," he started. I looked him dead in the eye. "After the first leg of the gym challenge, which is after the 3rd gym, there are small interviews with the remaining challengers. I will be there, and we will reveal our relationship," he said.
"What? Why?"
"Because, it will have to be revealed eventually, and we will say it was hidden so you could learn and focus,"
I glared at him, furious at having to reveal us. "There's no changing my mind, dear," he explained. I sighed as we both stood up. He gave a sympathetic smile before embracing me, tighter this time. We said our goodbyes as I quickly left the restaurant. I didn't know where to go from here, so I wandered around the city, eventually finding a quieter part of town to sit down. It was by a lighthouse, having an overlook onto the ocean.
I finally took out my phone, seeing I had texts from multiple people, but scrolled to one contact in particular and clicked the call button. It rang for a moment before being answered.
"Mom?" I asked softly.
"Sylvia! I saw your match on TV, good work honey!" She said enthusiastically.
"Oh, uh, thanks,"
"What brings on the call though?"
"I missed you, I guess," I mumbled, not entirely sure of what to say. I'm not even sure why I called her to begin with. I just felt like I needed to.
"What's the matter, honey? You're always much more talkative than this,"
"I-I don't know, honestly. Something just feels off,"
"You're always welcome home," she said happily.
"Thanks, but I'm determined to work my way through the gym challenge, prove I can do something,"
"You can do plenty, if you're not in the right head space then you'll struggle. Come on home,"
"I'll think about it, maybe see if this spell passes,"
"Don't push yourself too hard, and remember, east or west, home is best," she said before hanging up. I finally looked through my texts after that. I had a missed call from Raihan along with a bunch of texts, go figure. I called him back.
"Sweetheart, awesome job on the battle!" He said, sounding too nice.
"Thanks," I replied cautiously, a hint of suspicion lingering in my voice.
"What're you up to now?" Still sounded too friendly and upbeat.
"Nothing really,"
"Any plans?"
"Um, no. What's up with you, why do you sound obnoxiously nice?"
"Right, you caught me. I was hoping you'd tell me yourself instead of me having to pry, but I know what you did last night," he said, his voice switching back over to his confident and laid-back tone. I panicked, trying to figure out how he knew about me and Leon already. Surely Leon didn't say anything this early.
"What're you talking about, there was nothing different about last night," I tried my best to sound nonchalant.
"Oh yeah, well I know you and the champ were alone in that pressbox for awhile watching matches," he said, sounding sure he'd caught me in a lie.
"We watched some matches and called it a night. He flew somewhere for the night and I camped," I carefully lied.
"Oh," his voice dropped and I smiled to myself.
"What did you think I did?"
"I thought you cheated on me and had a sleepover with Leon!"
"How can I cheat on you if we aren't a couple?"
"Friend-cheating!"
"Whatever you say, Rai. Was that all?"
"Yeah that's it. Talk to you later sweetheart!" He said before hanging up. What a character he was.
I then had texts from Leon, pretty much saying good job. I called a flying taxi, having to wait a while for it.
"Great match today," a voice said from behind me. I turned around to be greeted by Nessa, her expression softer than when battling.
"Thanks, you too,"
"I've already heard a lot about you, Miss Famous,"
"I wouldn't say I'm famous,"
"You will be soon, and you've got friends and family who are bound to push that," she came over and sat beside me. "I read about you being the fairy successor and all, and how you were the top challenger last week. You really are something special,"
"I'm not so sure about that,"
"Well, you are. Trust it,"
She gave me a smile.
"Don't you have anymore matches?"
"Not until after lunch,"
"What's it like being a gym leader? Will it consume all my time?"
"Oh, not at all! You have the ceremony, your week in the gym challenge, the champion cup tournament, optional tournaments, and managing the gym. This is the busiest you'll be with it. Plus, everyone has a side gig to pokemon battling,"
"A side gig?"
"I model, Milo is a farmer, Raihan the social media addict,"
"Oh, right. Everyone has more to them than pokemon battling,"
"It's a chance to show off your personality some,"
"Yeah I get it,"
"If you don't mind my asking, you seem a bit down, despite your big win, is everything alright?"
"I just have a lot going on right now, just a mix of a bunch of stuff,"
"Yeah, I get that," she said sympathetically, putting a hand on my shoulder. I gave a light smile.
"I have to go, but it was nice to meet and battle you, looking forward to the rematch," Nessa said before heading back into the city. I hazed over the horizon for a bit longer before heading into town to explore some. I found some sort of street market, a fishing spot, and the entrance to the second Galar mine before running out of things to do. I heavily sighed as I sat at a bench nearby the street market. It was only early evening, but I already felt tired.
I pulled my phone out of my bag to see the time, only being 4. I saw I had a missed call from Leon. I clicked on his contact name and the phone started ringing.
"Hello?"
"Hey Leon, it's me,"
"How's it going, Sylvia? I haven't seen you since this morning, you disappeared on me,"
"Well, lunch with my father was forced upon me, then I talked to Nessa for a bit, and I explored the city. Not much to it,"
"Nessa is a friend of mine, and she always is a tough opponent when battling,"
"She seemed nice,"
"Anyway, I called earlier to see if you'd want to take up my date offer this evening, but you sound rather exhausted,"
"I'm not exhausted, I feel fine," I lied, feeling the effects of my day weigh on me even more.
"I don't believe that a bit. Are you still in Hulberry?"
"Where else is there to go?"
"The next gym is in Motostoke, you'd be able to spend the next week in the Budew Drop Inn,"
"But that's so far away,"
"Charizard is always ready to fly,"
"Not again," my voice sounded whining.
"I'm teasing, call a taxi and head to Motostoke,"
"Is that where you are?"
"No, I'm in Hammerlocke,"
"Then why should I go to Motostoke?"
"Because that's where the next gym is?"
"You're clueless," I felt a smile spread across my face as my hint flew completely over his head.
"What? No I'm not! If anything, you're clueless about the gym challenge,"
"Do I really have to explain it to you?"
"Yes, I'm lost,"
"You're always lost, so how's this any different?" I teased.
"Come on," he half whined. I let out a giggle.
"I asked why I should go to Motostoke if you're in Hammerlocks because I wouldn't be with you if I went to Motostoke, dummy," I said, feeling my face heat up.
"Ohhhhh, awe that's cute,"
"Whatever. So where am I going?"
"Just go to Motostoke or camp or something, somewhere you can rest,"
"Alright then, I'll fly to Motostoke. Talk to ya later," I said before hanging up to call the taxi.