Fated Encounter

Aside from introductions and the typical events that usually took place in the celebration, nothing out of the ordinary came out of the ball for a few hours.

 Xander had made mostly interactions among the regional Champions. It was nice having a refreshing views of pokemon research from Gary, though it was...rather strange when the atmosphere felt tensed when Prof. Oak, revealing he and the young Kanto Champion were related, would often jumped into their conversation if only just to brag of Gary's accomplishments to much hidden irritation of the brunette. 

 With Lance, it was a calm atmosphere, conversing as if the Nohrian king and Dragon Master were old friends, with even Lance explaining about another region that he had visited recently called Galar, having faced the champion of the region in an exhibition match before arriving here. It piqued the king's interest hearing that even a few gym leaders from Galar would be competing and that the Champion would be watching the tournament instead of participating. Lance asked if Leon would be appearing with the other Champions and Xander had said he will; though internally the king didn't really know for sure, perhaps it was one Goodshow's many surprises to pop up in the League upon rumors of who would be his Little Prince's challenger for the exhibition match. 

Meanwhile though, it was nearly one sided talking to Steven as the stone enthusiast practically kept on and on about the structure and materials of Castle Krakenberg. Xander mostly put his input when the other man asked questions of the place. The Sinnoh Champ, introducing himself as Paul, was probably an interesting one for the Nohrian. They talked over comparison in battle strategy. By the end of it, much similar to Malva and Satoshi, the younger lavender hair male asked about possibly meeting Ash Ketchum. Of course Xander casually faked naivety of the missing trainer and Paul stopped their conversation at that. 

Following was a girl around Paul's age, possibly a bit younger, by the name of Rosa as she mainly talked of her experience in the league, bringing about the topic of a strange wild haired girl bragging about beating the twin tail girl, though obviously Rosa came out victorious in the end. With Diantha, Xander was highly interested as the woman brought the subject of her acting career, thus resulting in the Kalos Champ to explain to the Nohrian the concept of film and filmmaking. 

Lastly was when both Prof. Kukui and Luna introduced themselves as Xander was relieved to finally meet a few who became good friends with his other siblings in Alola all while Kukui explained that tomorrow would also be Luna's debut as the Alolan Champion.

Camilla and Leo conversed with Elite Four members with the exception of conversation with those from Alola, who were all happy to talk to the two royals once more and catch up on latest events.

Leo pretty much gravitated towards those he found interesting in sharing similar topics with. Starting with Kanto as he conversed with Lorelei about back when she used to teach a pokemon school under the alias Prima before her Elite Four duties started to swamp her. The other being Agatha as she told of her experience as an elite as well as temporarily upholding position of the Viridian City gym for quite a while once the League caught on to the true identity of the previous gym leader who ran it. The gym was currently being upheld by a brunette girl he saw earlier by the name of Leaf upon both Agatha herself and Gary’s recommendations to the League Association. 

After, the Nohrian prince jumped into conversation with the Johto Elite Four, taking an interest to Will and Karen’s battling styles. He was intrigued upon finding out Bruno held Elite Four positions in both Kanto and Johto as the fighting elite similar to how Lance holds an Elite Four role in Kanto while being Champion of Johto. Koga reminded him of Satoshi’s Hoshidan retainer excluding the whole ninja role to them and was well intrigued with the poison Elite explained how he used to be a Kanto gym leader before passing down the position to his daughter, Janine as he took his new position in Johto.

With the Hoenn Elites, he was quite surprised upon hearing Phoebe was from Alola before residing with her grandparents to Hoenn. While with Glacia, it was quite nice hearing advice from her in terms of battling style and experience. Meanwhile with the Sinnoh Elites, his attention held with a man named Lucian who was holding his own suspicious of exactly who were those of the Nohr League. Leo gave his own cryptic hints as to not let slip anything for now. The Unova Elite Four were a curious bunch to him to say the least with Caitlin constantly looking like she was going to sleep standing any minute as she explained that she used to be under the care of her butler and Battle Frontier member Dararch back in Sinnoh when she was still adjusting to her psychic abilities. He wasn’t all that surprised to see Grimsley since seeing him back in the Alola region as they began to catch up from their travels.

Kalos’ Elite Four was also as much interesting once he asked another round of questions from Malva as well as conversing with Seibold before being interrupted by Wikstrom before resulting in a quarrel from the two Elites that brought much amusement to the prince. Finally with the Alola Elite Four it was pretty much another reunion to him before Hala, Olivia, and Acerola began introducing him to Kahili as they all caught up on what they've all been doing since their departures.

Camilla was in her usual doting sister mood despite acting in line with the rest of her siblings. She mostly took interest in the dragon type Elites as she wanted in on different ideas and advice towards her own battling methods all while making sure to cover up her real position in the progress of it. Though once she got to the Alola Elites, she immediately began smothering Acerola much to Leo’s chagrin over it.

Finally with Elise she decided upon herself to get to know the Gym Leaders. She conversed first with the Alola Trial Captains and Island Kahunas once hearing the difference between them and the Gym Leaders. She was very excited as she brought up the topic of her siblings meeting them and as well as how happy she was to finally meet the Alolans upon hearing a lot about them. Following them were the Kalos Gym Leaders as she easily got along with them from Olympia commenting on how bright the youngest princess was to Valerie complementing on the blonde’s style of clothing and how fitting it was for her.

“You remind me a lot of my little sister. She’ll actually be watching the tournament from the audience,” the electric type gym leader, Clemont, told her.

She was about to question more about it before she ended up being taken in by the Unova Gym Leaders, who were all just as quirky and friendly, which was something Elise could get by. She was pretty amazed when she learned they all had different things that also reflected on their gyms such as Elisa’s modeling, Burgh’s fashion designing, the Stration brothers’ restaurant. They all really intrigued the youngest princess.

Similar things followed up as she conversed with Gym Leaders from Sinnoh to Johto with introductions and friendly conversation as they were all pleasantly surprised by Elise’s enthusiastic attitude and willing to be social and friendly with just about anyone.

Lastly with the Kanto Gym Leaders, it was a good start. Aside from probably Blaine and Lt. Surge, everyone was a bit more reserved compared to the others, but they were all fine and well keeping conversations with the princess.

Well almost.

“I still can’t believe this region’s League didn’t actually show up! Well, actually, I can believe it. They’re probably too scared of us by how weak they are.” The blonde surely overheard as she quickly turned from her previous conversation and looked to where she heard the comment from, seeing both a redhead girl and a brunette man conversing to each other a bit far from everyone else.

“Hey, why would you assume that anyway?” the blonde questioned as she approached the two while trying to hide her disappointed tone.

The brunette man looked guilty being caught by the younger girl, however, the redhead didn't back down in her fit of anger. "Because why would a league spend years hiding themselves from the rest of the world? If they were actually wanting to see their opponents and fight they would've come and faced us instead of having some stupid excuse to not be here!"

"Misty, you should really st--"

"Oh, shut up, Brock! You know I'm right! If they really were in it they'd actually be here looking at what to expect from us and actually be around the royal family not doing some stupid grunt work--"

"I think that's quite enough, Misty."

They turned to the cold tone coming from Gary approaching them not looking happy at all. A small audience seemed to stem from it seeing as Xander, as well as Satoshi, Charlotte, Kaze, and even Scott and Anabel, one of the Frontier Brains, all looked at them in surprise from the conversation.

"Don't forget where you are and the position you're in. You have no right to voice such things when you don't even know the reason."

"Oh yeah right, just like the reason Ketchum lef--"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The redhead winced mostly out of surprise from the tone raised at her by the Kanto champion. It was so sudden and surprising. She never really heard him raise his voice in such a way to anyone especially with how quiet and distant he's been since he rose to champion status. It's just...strange. Especially, why the hell the mention of that stupid, good-for-nothing trainer suddenly piss him off? Though even when she was about to rebuttal, she suddenly felt small with many eyes on her now that it seemed like a good amount of everyone looked in their direction wondering why Gary got upset so suddenly.

"I think you should leave here early. We're discussing this later," his voice lowered, sounding coldly that it suddenly made the gym leader feel nervous. Even when the professor came to try to reason with the brunette, he only repeated what he said and left them to go converse with the Nohrian king and give him a formal apology.

All it did was made her more mad as she gave a glare before leaving, though not before giving a harder glare at the middle prince before making her way out in a huff.

That stupid prince even looked like him too. What a terrible place to be.

--

"I'm so sorry about her, your majesty. She doesn’t usually lash out like that so publically especially to anyone of higher status. I apologize that it caused such a scene."

"Worry not. You only responded what was the best way to approach it. I'm just glad things didn't escalate."

"You're right about that. She honestly wouldn't hesitate to retaliate with actual violence if she could've."

That only confused the Nohrian king as the Kanto champion explained. Sure he understood that his own retainer could threaten people when she's upset but it's not like her to actually take serious action in a public space especially with her position on the line. Did that redhead girl really not care who she was talking to to just go with lashing out on anyone that tries to argue with her or get her to stop? That's...definitely not a good way to handle things...

Luckily after that incident, the rest of the night went by without any more problems. It seemed like somehow from that little situation, Xander started to get along more with Gary, even with Paul joining in and finding out that the two kept in communication as often as they could.

Satoshi meanwhile was growing a tad wary as the night went on. As bright of a man he was in terms of personality, so many people always wore him out, perhaps due to his years of isolation. He grew to be more private about himself, aside being with his pokemon of course. However, he wasn't used to a lot of people, even back during the war, commanding an army even with the aid of his siblings was overwhelming by the sheer number of people. In the moment it only led the prince to wander more off to the side near the pillars closest to the door, however before he could fully make a turn, he bumped right into someone, quickly using the pillar as leverage with one hand as the other was quick enough to catch whoever was falling by their waist.

Honey met blue as the prince took in the appearance of the person he caught before they hit the ground. Darker skin than him, bright blue eyes and dark brunette hair that was barely contained by a low ponytail from how unruly it was along with red clips seeming to keep unwanted hair away. They wore a dress shirt with a dark red vest, silver tie and black slacks. Needless to say, Satoshi couldn't help but maintain eye contact as the other did, neither not knowing what to do in that moment.

Eventually though, the other shakes their head out of their stupor as they clear their throat, giving the prince a sign to help the other stand up properly. "Oh, uhm...sorry--about that. I didn't think anyone would be this far back here..."

The other snorts in response after hearing the man, giving a chuckle, "Nah, it's okay, I just didn't quite expect one of the princes of all people to go far over here. Was the party too much noise for you too?"

Satoshi felt a light color rush in his cheeks hearing the other's laugh. The voice was definitely a man's but his voice was so light compared to those the middle prince had heard from others he knew. "Yeah. Ha ha, you got me there. I'm not used to too many people at all. I've...spent a good portion of my life growing up mostly with my retainers so...there weren't that many people I really had to talk to honestly."

"I think I understand. It's something you're not used to right?" The unruly haired man takes a short breath as he looks around the room looking for something in his line of sight before turning back to Satoshi, "I only know very few people in my life so seeing all these people especially who're supposed to be the most recognized in their regions? Makes me feel rather small compared to everyone else. I don't understand why the professor I work with was invited here besides getting to talk to important regional professors or internal workings with the king."

This made the prince more curious and pay more attention to the other's words. He did know it was possible other professors would be here. They're all important after all in collaborating on finding new research in their findings. He just didn't really expect a professor like that to just casually bring other people along.

“Gou.” The prince looks confused for a moment before looking down to see the other man offering his hand. Ah, he was introducing himself.

“Satoshi.” he returned the gesture as they shook hands while the other man leaned against the pillar behind him.

“I figured from that whole introduction from earlier, but also my professor got a bit of info before coming here. He may not be a known regional professor but he can get information from just about anywhere.” Confusion etched on Satoshi’s face wondering what the other man was getting with his explanation. “You know, I’m just as confused as he was when your king said your Elite Four and Champion weren’t here when they’re right in front of us.”

The dark haired man blinked for a second as realization hit before letting out a chuckle. It was strange, he should’ve felt nervous about hearing someone that wasn’t close with his family knows about it but he felt...rather at ease talking to this man, like they’ve been best friends for a long time even if it’s their first meeting. “Yeah, you got us. How’d your professor figure that one out?”

“Like I said, he can get info wherever and Prof. Kukui kinda had a big mouth while on call with Prof. Cerise a few days ago while having a few drinks.”

Satoshi had to cover his mouth to contain his snickering from turning into full blown laughter. That definitely sounds about right for how Prof. Kukui is with other adults. Sometimes he just wanted to destress for an evening and take a few drinks. However, he, Leo and Camilla found out pretty quick the Alolan professor was quite the blabbermouth after a few drinks if his constant crying over his love for Prof. Burnet was any indication the night the group went out to relax as adults while the young trainers were resting for the night in the Pokemon Center they stayed at.

“That’s definitely just like him. Don’t worry too much about it; we just want to keep the whole mystery going on for a while longer till the ceremony. Are you planning on competing too?”

“Oh, of course not! I’m not a battler by any means. I’m just trying to fill the whole pokedex, but that’s not my main objective.”

“Then what is?”

“To catch mew of course!” A proud smile is on the man’s face before he freezes realizing what he said, immediately growing small, “Y-you don’t think that’s dumb r-right? For an adult to be thinking of such a silly dream--”

The prince lets out a small chuckle in response, a gentle smile in his face giving Gou a sense of ease from hearing it. What a nice voice he has…definitely one to grab anyone’s attention with ease.

“Of course not. That’s…honestly pretty admirable of you to do. You’re already going so far to collect every single type of pokemon, but to capture mew...that’d be a sight to see…” Though right as he finishes, he can feel an oncoming headache. Thoughts lingering...perhaps memories? He doesn’t see much, the background completely blurry, he sees what looks to be himself...at least he thinks it’s himself... His Sceptile on the battlefield in front of him facing a Darkrai as they go toe to toe against each other.

“H--he--”

Another vision, of the same battle. He still can’t see the face of his opponent but the other has a Latios out and he himself has...a Pikachu? He doesn’t recall owning one but...why does it hurt so much seeing it in the first place--

“Hey, Satoshi!”

The prince blinks as he’s brought back to the ballroom, with the trainer in front of him with a concerned look on his face. “Are you alright? You look like you spaced out completely but you kept holding your head. Do you need to sit down?”

Satoshi lowers his head, finally realizing that he had been clutching his head during his minor blackout. Perhaps an old memory of Ash Ketchum finally triggered, but from what? The topic over legendaries? Well Darkrai and Latios are more mythicals than anything but...what a strange memory, yet even stranger to remember a trainer that actually owns them. Yet again, it only brought more questions than actual answers. How many more vague memories would he have to deal with to finally start getting a clear picture of his past memories?

“Little Prince, are you alright? No one could find you in the crowd, so I wanted to see if you were back here.” Xander’s voice made the two jump as they saw him approach from the other side of the pillar.

“I-I’m fine. I might be getting just a bit tired though…”

“I see… You can only socialize so much before you feel winded. Perhaps you should call it a night for yourself. The ceremony is tomorrow afternoon and you should get some proper rest.”

“I’ll try to… Uhm, do you want to come with and talk some more, Gou? I didn’t get to hear a lot about your collecting.”

The king looks towards the other man in question finally realizing another person was here the whole time. “You are?”

The brunette only felt a lot smaller realizing that the king did feel rather intimidating. Would’ve made a lot more sense if he was the Champion instead of a member of the Elite Four but surely he had to have chosen Satoshi for a reason. “Oh uhm...I’m Gou, a research assistant for Prof. Cerise...”

“Ah I see. I was just talking to him before coming to find my brother. He has quite a vast knowledge in pokemon research, I’m rather surprised he’s not a regional professor… He has so much knowledge that’s well needed especially in pokemon behavior.”

“That’s right! He actually assigns me to go travelling a lot to help in his research.”

“So I take it you’re the one he brought with him here tonight? He was just telling me about how he was originally going to bring his daughter, but she rather had stayed watching her younger brother instead, am I correct?”
 

“Yeah, that’s Chloe for you…” A chuckle escapes him, before remembering the offer he received, his face going a slight shade of red as he turned back towards Satoshi. “Y-yeah. I don’t mind talking some more if you know...you’re alright letting me go with you.”

“You’re perfectly welcome if Little Prince was the one to offer you to go with him. I’ll be sure to tell Prof. Cerise where you’ll be and make sure everyone else knows that Satoshi will be retiring for the night,” answers the king.

“Thank you, big brother. Come on Gou! I want to go lay down while I see your pokedex!” The middle prince doesn’t hesitate in taking the younger man’s hand as he leads him out of the ballroom with the other quickly following.

“Seems like our dear little brother has made a friend quite quickly,” the voice of the lavender hair woman can be heard right behind Xander as she approaches, looking on in the direction of where the duo had run off to.

“Indeed. Perhaps it’s something he needs right now. That man seems to have no ill will to do anything against him after seeing what happened earlier. If it’s possible Ash Ketchum had an encounter with nearly all these trainers in this room, I can only imagine how overwhelmed Little Prince will be tomorrow upon the reveal. Someone who he probably hasn’t met with before in the past might be of some help to him for the upcoming event. We must prepare ourselves as well and make sure to be protective of him no matter what.”

--

A/N: well uh....it's sure been well over a year since i've updated this fic... //sweats

but hey i'm not dead for once and first time not just forever leaving a fic completely abandoned. even if i probably get hardly anyone reading this fic, it's still a big passion project of mine to work on.

i guess a couple of things to say would be chapters perhaps will be slow updating for here on out. this chapter itself has been sitting half written well over a year, long enough for me to catch up in the current pokemon anime to include some elements to it. please note that swsh refs will be mainly taken from the anime! i haven't watched a playthrough of swsh and i still need to eventually get into watching twilight wings before i add more elements. also as...you can see...i'm going to end up making firstfriendshipping the endgame ship of the fic, i just love them so much in the anime...

i'll probably work on outlining ideas of exactly how many chapters i want this fic to be so i don't end up overthinking how much i want to include and then feel too overwhelmed to work on the fic. i do have at least one other plot point to happen in this fic but i have to figure out how to implement it before the actual tournament begins. furthermore! i will be updating all previous chapters mainly for any misspelling and grammatical errors made on my part. will also be increasing the font size like this chapter for more accessable reading.

next chapter will finally be the ceremony and exhibition match! i think you already have an idea of who our fellow champion will be battling, but how will everyone who knows of ash react to his reappearance? well you'll have to find that out eventually. see you soon!

-Rae