The crowd had eventually dissipated, with most of the trainers returning to the Pokemon Center for the night. Build, Destine, and Deisy remained, talking with Build’s Father before departing as well.

“That was quite the battle you two had.” Build’s Father was no stranger to a good battle, but was genuinely impressed by how strong the two teens had already become. “..And Deisy, I think you and that Zweilous of yours could’ve pulled a win, had ya’ll been more in sync.”

Build sighed at the unsolicited advice for Deisy’s sake. “You beat ONE Elite 4 member one time fifthteen years ago and suddenly you can go around advising trainers.” He joked harshly with his Dad, though it seemed common from an outsider’s point of view.

“No it’s okay, Build, he was ju- wait.” Deisy allowed her thoughts to catch up with her as she realized what Build had just casually shared, Destine had adjusted her glasses frantically to get a better view of the man before them.

“No one’s been able to challenge the Elite 4 in YEARS. Not since Cynthia beat the league as a kid… You’re telling me, YOU were the second ranked trainer that year?!” Destine’s interest in the past was new to the father, who was used to answering questions about his son instead.

“So you’re that guy… what’s his face…” Deisy snapped idly in the air to draw the memory forth as Destine simply stared up in awe, all while Build’s Father sheepishly accepted the praise with awkward grace. “Ehehe.. You guys are really too young to even remember all of that and besides, I haven’t battled since then. I had a kid and needed to get a job so…”

“So. Now instead of Bardo the Steel Titan… he’s Bardo, Chief Demolitionist for the Oreburgh Mines.” Build’s tone of voice suggested that he was happy with how things turned out, despite being a trainer himself.

“Thats right! Bardo the Titan! The guy who steamrolled the league with a Graveler and a Rhyperior!” Destine could barely contain herself at the sight of such a historical figure. “I-I’m not much of a trainer but I know more about Pokemon than anyone! Is it true that your Rhyperior knew Flamethrower, or that your Graveler could shatter a boulder with one punch?! Did you really only use two Pokemon your whole journey?!”

“Alright alright that’s enough.” Deisy interjected with firm hands on Destine’s shoulders, attempting to redirect her elsewhere. “I’m sure Build and his Dad have got plenty of catching up to do.”

Build, who was still reliving the events of such a long day, was brought back to the conversation upon hearing his name mentioned. “Huh, oh yeah nah.” A loose shrug was given. “I mean, we’re good. I’m sure Dad’s tired from the drive anyway, he probably doesn’t want to talk.”

“NONSENSE.”

Nearby bird Pokemon vacated their trees at the booming sound of the man’s voice, followed by a hearty chuckle. “In fact, why don’t we have your new friends over for dinner? It’s getting late, and your mother cooked.” Turning to them, his excited expression would’ve made it impossible for anyone to say no. Build sighed again in embarrassment, but much to his surprise, the sisters agreed.

Coming to a stop, Deisy turned her sister back toward Destine who had no issue admiring the powerful trainer of old once more. “Well… it IS a long way back to Jubilife… I dunno, what do you think.. Build?” Flashing those big brown eyes at the boy, he would’ve melted right there had it not been for his Dad there.

“Oh um, I uh–s-sure. Sure. Yeah, I mean, yes.” Build adverted his eyes from a blushing Deisy and a confused Destine, all while his Father quickly put two and two together.

“Riiiight. Alright kids, it’s settled. We’re havin’ dinner at the Mines! Everybody load up.” Build turned and quickly got into the back of the pickup truck, allowing his manners to hide the fact he didn’t want to be stuck up front with his Dad, bombarded with questions. Instead, Destine would sit up front for safety, and to keep his Dad company.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

As the sisters made their way into the Pokemon Center so that Deisy could refresh her team, Build’s Dad came out to speak with his son, leaning against the open trunk of the pick up he arrived in.

“So, I saw your match with Volkner today at the Mines. I’ve gotta say, kid, I’d think you’d be down in the dumps right now.”

“Nope, something’s different this time, Dad.”

“Oh I see that. I was expecting to have to pick you up off the Gym floor, ya know?”

“Alright, Dad.”

“I thought you’d be a crying mess, tears and snot streaming down your face, all pathetic like.”

“Okay, that’s enough Dad…”

“But no.. even through defeat, you did good. You handled it like a man. Heck, you even snagged yourself a rebound win!”

There was so much Build felt like it was said wrong, but he’d take the praise when given. With a deep sigh, he could only nod it off. “Thanks, Dad. I had a lotta fun battling Deisy.”

“Mmhm, yeah I’m sure you did. Just remember to let ‘em win sometimes ya know. I know you’re a trainer but love trumps all.”

Now flush with blush, Build profusely denied any accusations of love or feelings for that matter and wrote it off as another parenting tactic.

“Wh-what?! We just met, and she’s a trainer too! Heck, she challenged me even. I had to win that battle, Dad.”

The father’s eyes remained on his son for a moment as flashes of his future adulthood made rounds in Bardo’s mind. A toothy grin made an appearance between bands of stubble. “Winning’s that important to ya, huh? Well… good. Good.”

The two looked out into the night sky, and let the wind do the rest of the talking as they sat and waited. Blades of grass swayed lazily with the currents whipping away from the beach, carrying salt and memories beyond the gateway city. Before long, Deisy and Destine rejoined the two, followed by Machoke, who had finally recovered enough to rest in his Pokeball.

With the truck loaded, they were finally on their way back to Oreburgh.

“SO!”

Bardo’s voice traveled far enough to be heard outside of the car, with the windows rolled up, while moving. The two teens riding in the tow of the truck were seated comfortably, as safe as they could be in this situation.

“Where ya two say ya from again?” Bardo asked Destine, who’s answer was given at a normal conversational tone, so Build and Deisy did hear.

“Huh, good question actually.”

“Huh?” Build speaking brought Deisy’s attention back as she was too busy keeping composure being next to him in what felt like such an intimate space, the back of a truck.

“Like, where are you guys from exactly? You dress kinda differently, not to mention that two headed Pokemon you’ve got…”

Chuckling from his comments, it was no secret that Deisy was proud to have such a unique Pokemon on her team, and it seemed to break the tension.

“We’re from the Unova Region. Me and Destine are visiting our granny in Sandgem to watch the Sinnoh League for the summer, heard there was this middle ranked trainer already in-line to be the first to challenge the league, we had to come see what all the fuss was about.”

Build initially enjoyed hearing that his reputation was known, even in the neighboring region but still. The bite and embarrassment of losing after getting so far still hurt him.

“Tch, I guess you mean me, huh? Sorry to disappoint you after traveling so far, I’m just a regular old trainer as you can see. I probably won’t even get my eighth badge, let alone challenge the league…”

Deisy looked on as Build began to spiral and stifled a deep sigh before scooting over closer to him, sitting within arms reach now. “Look, I’ve been studying Pokemon since I was a little kid. My mom even enrolled Destine and me into Blueberry Academy to become master strategists or whatever.”

Her tone became somber, and her gaze averted which brought Build into her space, eager to know more about her.

“It was clear from the beginning that Destine would go on to study Pokemon, so where’d that leave me? I had to get good at battling, no choice.” She sighed and rested her head in her palm, recounting the last few years.

“At first, it was great too. The only first year to join the Elite 4, President of the student body by the end of that year… I even ended this year as the Champion. Even so…”

Turning to point as the boy, he was startled by this but so ensnared by her story, the distance between them remained enclosed. “Even with my buffed team, after sweeping the Sinnoh Gym leaders, I still couldn’t beat that mystery trainer with the really tough Pokemon.”

Blush tinged her rosy cheeks as she struggled to maintain eye contact with the boy, their faces bouncing to the rhythm of the car but still hovering now inches from each other.

“I still couldn’t beat… you.” Build’s heart was pounding at this point. Under such a beautiful night sky was this scene taking place, and it was surreal to him. As his eyes closed, the guttural cry of an enraged Pokemon disturbed the scenery. The two teens gasped and turned their attention to the road behind them as an eerie shadow blanketed the view and swallowed anything untouched by light. The murky shadow crept up the road, tailing the truck and obscuring anything beyond its boundaries from view.

“What in the world was that?!” Deisy asked while pointing toward the ever-growing void following them. Without a second thought, Build slapped the side of the car and peered through the rear view window with a face full of fear.

“DRIVE!”

Bardo put the gas pedal to the floor and broke any and every traffic law to get those kids out of harms way, but the violent storm of darkness had other plans.

“Kekekeke…” Its malicious intent felt in through its ominous laughter.