(Wrote this on a bit of whim. It’s some Katla/Nanu stuff as part of the OT4, and canon to their story. I’ve been more laissez faire with the games. Hope you enjoy!)
No secrets between us, Katla thought as she lingered at the doorway, watching the scene before her.
Kahuna Nanu had stretched his long body out along his blue couch, focused entirely on the tricks he was performing on his kendama, and not on the Alolan Meowth scattered about him - such as the three staring at the red ball, one slightly crouched as if debating whether to swat it.
It was a peaceful scene, and not one the trainer wanted to disturb, especially not with the topic she needed to discuss. It was easier to copy the Meowth and watch her lover’s skill instead.
That was until a soft ‘thump’ and the click of claws across a wooden floor drew Katla’s attention to the large Persian padding her way over, her curled tail lifting as she approached.
“Perr~” The Classy Cat announced softly, her headbutt knocking Katla back a step, a guttural purr rumbling out almost as soon as the trainer’s hand sunk into her thick grey coat.
“Hi Perla.” Katla murmured softly, stroking down her muscled back as the feline rubbed past her.
“There a reason you’re hiding back there, Kat?” Nanu asked, the sound of his kendama slowing.
Katla took a breath. You gotta do it. You can’t leave him out of the loop. Perla chirruped, looking up at her expectantly.
“No, not really.” The trainer said, stepping out of the doorway. “Just thinking.”
The kahuna’s red gaze shifted to her as soon as she came into view, Perla padding past her. He said nothing, the only sound being the clack of ball and cup.
“I need to tell you something. From my past.”
Clack.
The silence ticked on for a couple of seconds, his face inscrutable as ever. She would never challenge him to a game of poker.
“You don’t have to listen right now if you don’t want,” she said eventually. “I-I didn’t want to disturb you-”
Nanu sat up, scattering his small feline audience as he swung his legs down and causing a loaf-Meowth further down the couch to glare at him.
“Sit with me, Kat,” he said, although it was more an order than a suggestion.
She felt his stare follow her as she settled next to him. It made her slightly uneasy, and yet it also didn’t. Perhaps it was just a by-product of him being a police officer.
The trainer took a breath. Here we go.
“You know I started out with my Pokemon in Hoenn, right?”
“Yeah. Born in Galar, registered in Hoenn,” he said, winding the string around the kendama’s handle. “I remember.”
Katla smiled briefly - of course he did.
“Great. Uh, I know this is kinda out of left field, but do you remember there being a big storm in Hoenn about ten years ago or so? Had something to do with a Team Aqua?”
Nanu's steady gaze didn’t shift from her, but she did notice a crease appear between his thick eyebrows.
“I remember that name,” he began, sentence hanging for a moment before he looked away. “Some gang of pirates?”
“I guess?” Katla scratched her head. “They certainly dressed the part. But they’d graduated into eco-terrorists when I met them.”
The kahuna’s eyes slid back to her, his eyebrow arching.
“What is it with you kids and taking on criminal gangs that would make most adults think twice? Although,” a smirk pulled at the corner of his lips, “you don’t seem to know what danger is.”
Katla rolled her eyes.
“Ha ha, very funny, Officer.” She blew out a sigh through her nose. “If I’m honest, I would have preferred to avoid them. I was just a little kid on her first adventure with Pokemon, I didn’t need...I didn’t need what came next.”
Her gaze drifted to Perla, now lying on the window sill, oblivious to the two smaller Meowth playfully batting at her hanging tail as it swayed back and forth.
“They said they wanted to expand the oceans to make more homes for water-type Pokemon,” Katla continued, interrupted by an amused snort. “Yeah, that was my reaction too. The oceans are big enough without help. Anyway, in order to do that, they decided to find and awaken Kyogre.”
“It’s been a long time since I last went to Hoenn, but isn’t Kyogre one of the Pokemon deities there?” The kahuna asked, one eyebrow arched.
“Yeah, Kyogre is the God of the Sea.” The trainer sighed. “They thought they could control it. You can imagine how well that went.”
"Hmm.” She felt Nanu’s gaze linger on her. “So, where did you come in?”
Katla managed to suck in a breath, her heart beginning to beat a fast tattoo.
“There is a place called the Cave of Origins, said to be where life began. It contains a power that could cause something called Primal Reversion. Basically, Kyogre went to claim that power and become every bit as much as of a God as the legends make it out to be.” She explained. “The plan was for someone to intercept and defeat it whilst it was still just a powerful Pokemon and not ‘the Almighty’.”
She finally turned to meet Nanu’s eyes. “That someone was me.”
There was a long, long pause.
“An eleven year old girl.” The kahuna spoke slowly. “Hoenn had a Champion back then, didn’t they?”
“Yeah, Steven...Stone? He was there, he helped me get permission to enter the Cave. But I went in alone.”
Nanu said nothing, but she sensed his mood turn in an instant, his jaw tightening and the crease reappearing between his brows. She realized then that she’d never seen Ula’Ula’s kahuna truly angry. Annoyed, irritated and sometimes upset - nothing that held a candle to this. Even the Meowth were now eyeing their patron warily, ears twitching.
She felt uneasy about continuing her story, but they’d gotten this far:
“I...I didn’t make it in time, either. I had front row seats to see Kyogre attain its Primal form.”
Suddenly Nanu was on his feet, striding away with his back straight, sending Meowth skittering away in his wake. Perla lifted her head, her ears folding backwards as she watched her trainer.
The kahuna stared at a point outside, letting the uneasy silence drag on until a single, cold word passed his lips:
“Alone?”
Katla swallowed.
“Yeah. I just had my Pokemon with me. No-one could get to where I was anyway-”
“You shouldn’t have even been there.”
Nanu’s words were fiercely sharp - she had been subject to his taunting barbs during his Grand Trial, but these threatened to draw blood.
He kept his back to her, the only indicators of his expression being his clenched fists and every inch of his full height.
“The Champion - the strongest trainer in Hoenn. But won’t take on a deity Pokemon - instead palms it off on a child. A child that he didn’t even back up.”
There was a sharp intake of breath, his shoulders lifting. One second, two, three, and his breath hissed out again, relaxing. His fists uncurled, fingers flexing. It took another couple of seconds before Nanu could speak again.
“I guess you must’ve won, since you’re here to tell the tale.”
“Yeah.” Katla glanced away, forcing her voice not to peter out into a mumble. “I almost didn’t, though. Primal Kyogre was so powerful, the only reason I managed it is because of Latias. I befriended her when I rescued her from being harassed by Team Aqua thugs, and she joined my team in thanks.”
The trainer took a breath. “When she was Mega Evolved, she was strong enough to at least take a few hits from it. More than what could be said about me.”
Katla shrugged off her black and red jersey, revealing the whorls and stretched scars that patterned her forearms. Time had faded them, but they were still as clear as the day they’d healed.
“Kyogre’s Origin Pulse attack was so powerful that its energy scorched my skin. Most people mistake them for fire burns, but those who specialise in Fire types can tell the difference.”
“I did wonder about them, our first night.” She glanced up to see Nanu standing over her, his expression back to its apathetic default. But his crimson eyes were soft, almost hurt. “Knew better than to ask, though.”
“Thank you.” She ran her hands up her arms, the skin crawling under his gaze. “I would have lied to you anyway.”
“Figured as much.” He dropped to a crouch, studying the marked flesh. “Same as Kabu and his undershirt, then.”
“Kinda. I think that’s more because his scars aren’t pretty, though.” A wry smile pulled at Katla’s lips as the kahuna snorted derisively. “I just...don’t want to answer the awkward questions.”
“Hmm.” His eyes met hers, and it seemed like he wanted to say something, his jaw working. Then he looked back down at her arm. “Uh, they don’t look great - must’ve hurt like hell. You get any pain from them now?”
“Sometimes.” The trainer nodded. “They usually react to powerful or legendary Pokemon.”
“Hm?” Nanu’s eyebrow arched.
“Yeah. When Tapu Bulu appeared in our Grand Trial, I felt my scars tingle. When they use their powers, they tend to hurt.”
The kahuna pulled back slightly.
“Wait. If that’s the case with the Tapu, then the same must have happened with Eternatus.”
“Mmhmm.” Katla nodded. “And the legendary dogs. But Eternatus was the worst. Especially whatever unholy Dynamax it turned into - as soon it started attacking, it was agony.” Her arms prickled at the memory. “I managed to hide it from Hop, but it hurt so much-”
“Hey hey, enough of that.” Nanu rumbled softly, shifting closer, hand hesitantly moving to rest on her shoulder. There was a moment or two of silence before he spoke again: “So. You defeated the God of the Sea with the help of an Eon Pokemon. Now I understand what Kabu meant when he said it wasn’t your first rodeo.”
“He told you?” She looked up at him with alarm.
“No. He let it slip that Eternatus and Zacian weren’t the first legendaries you’d encountered.” The kahuna smirked, rising back up to his relaxed stoop. “Clammed up tighter than a Cloyster and told me it was something I’d have to ask you about.” He tilted his head, smirk becoming a smile. “Figured it was better to let you open up about it on your own time.”
She couldn’t help but smile back.
“Thanks, Nanu. I’ve told him and Stela about what happened, and I couldn’t leave you out of the loop.”
“That’s kind of you, but you didn’t have to,” he said, sitting back down beside her. A Meowth cautiously approached him, sniffing his hand.
“I didn’t want there to be any secrets between us.” The trainer explained. “And mine is...kinda important.”
The small feline purred loudly as Nanu scratched its cheek, its other fellows beginning to cluster around them again.
“I see...” His murmur was so quiet Katla almost missed it. After a long silence, she spoke again:
“So yeah. Eleven years old and I’d fought and beaten a deity Pokemon at full power. And all I got were these lousy scars and nightmares for the rest of my life.” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Nanu’s expression get decidedly sour. The Meowth hopped down from his lap. “Then I went and became the Champion.”
His gaze snapped to hers, eyebrows arching up almost to his hairline.
“Say again.”
“Several weeks after the Kyogre incident, I challenged the Elite 4 and Steven. And won.”
The kahuna just stared at her, surprise clearly written over his face, yet the trainer had a feeling he was turning things over in his head - he was looking through her, not at her.
“Before you ask, no. I’m not Hoenn’s Champion any more. I gave it up after a while.” She sighed, resting her arms on her knees and staring at her boots. “It was all...all so quick. First Kyogre, then somehow I was the Champ, then the meteor, and it was all so much, too much-”
“Hey. Take it easy.” Nanu spoke, his voice quiet and steady. There was soft ‘shff’ of fabric as he scooted closer. “You weren’t much older, were you?”
“No, still eleven.”
Another breath hissed out of his nose.
“Guessing no-one helped you for those, either.”
“Not... not really.” Katla met the eyes of a particularly petite Meowth that came to sit between her feet. “I mean, Steven was there, but he was more directing me where to go, leaving a list of things I had to do. Not really...doing anything to help.” The Meowth made a sound almost akin to a beep, reaching up to her. The trainer reached down to pet it, making sure to avoid its charm. “The only ‘people’ that helped me were my Pokemon...”
A quietness fell between them, filled only with soft purring and the beginnings of rain on the Police Station roof.
“Kat,” Nanu’s voice was softer than she’d ever heard it, and she glanced up to him. There was a naked vulnerability to his face that made her heart skip in surprise. “You do have parents, right?”
Her brows furrowed for a moment.
“Yeah, I do, I thought I...told you...” She trailed off, hearing the real question underneath it. It took her aback for a moment, taking the Meowth’s insistent headbutt to bring her back.
“I do, I do - they do care for me, a-and they did their best. This- this isn’t one of those stories.” A quick glance at Nanu and the creases deepening in his forehead showed he disagreed. “They love me, they do. They just...I mean, what’s the manual for helping your kid deal with all...all of that?”
He grunted.
“Take your word for it.”
A part of Katla bristled, yet she let the anger ebb. No point quibbling now, after the wounds had been made and healed. Mostly.
“What’s this about a meteor?” He asked, mercifully pivoting away from the previous subject.
“The giant meteor over ten years ago? Was gonna smack into the planet and ruin everyone’s day?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, that one.” Nanu leaned back, crossing his legs. His own eyebrow raised in a mirror to hers. “Didn’t know you were involved in that too.”
“Yeah, well.” Katla snorted. “I thought saving the world was kinda a Champion’s job.”
“Can hardly you blame you for thinking otherwise, considering your predecessor.” Nanu drawled. His gaze lingered on her, his eyes twitching slightly back and forth. “Better or worse than Kyogre?”
“Better. I mean, this time the Pokemon wasn’t actively trying to kill me. But it still wanted a Pokemon battle.” She crossed her arms over her knees, watching the Meowth curl around her feet.
“Long story short, apparently this meteor had been foretold by an ancient group of people called the Draconids. They said the only way to stop it was to summon Rayquaza - the Hoenn deity of the Sky - and petition it to destroy it.”
“Wait, how is this different from Team Aqua summoning Kyogre?” Nanu asked. “Maybe they’re asking more politely, but you’re still asking a god to do your bidding.”
“I think the difference is in what was asked of them.” She explained. “That, and Kyogre was asleep.” She arched an eyebrow at the older man. “Sure you can relate to that - woken up in the middle of deep sleep and then just ordered to do something, no ‘please’ or ‘thank you’."
“Yeah. No wonder it acted out.” The older man grumbled, scratching the back of his neck. “Still, what made them so sure Rayquaza would listen to them anyway?”
”According to the legends, it has form - if a prayer to it can be amplified by some powerful artifact or location, it tends to respond. Unlike the other two Hoenn deities, Rayquaza has a closer connection to humanity. Mostly because it seems to be the only Pokemon than can get Groudon and Kyogre to stop fighting each other.”
“Huh.” Nanu leaned back. “Well, considering we’re still here, I’m guessing you succeeded?”
“Pretty much.” Katla nodded. “Got to Sky Pillar, called Rayquaza. It answered, I somehow beat it in a battle and it went and destroyed the meteor. World saved. Again.” She sighed, gaze drifting to where Perla was dozing on the window sill.
“I quit not long after that. People were insisting I stay on, or that they couldn’t believe I wanted to walk away, but...I was a mess. The nightmares, flashbacks, I-I couldn’t even look at dark water without-”
“Hey hey hey.” Nanu murmured, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “You did the right thing. Lot of people talk as if they know your mind better than you do.”
“Yeah. It was as if everything that happened to me wasn’t a big deal or anything.” She leant into him, resting her head against his chest. The slow, comforting boom of his heart was soothing, as was the kahuna’s gentle, almost furtive petting of her hair.
He hummed his agreement, the sound rumbling through his body. A couple of seconds of silence ticked by, the Meowth settling around them before he spoke again.
“I appreciate you opening up about this, Kat. Lot of things make much more sense now.”
A wan smile pulled at her lips.
“Suppose they do.” She looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat when she noticed he was watching her. “Thanks for listening to me vent, too.”
“I meant what I said last time. I’m here for you, just as much as Stela or Kabu.” His gaze was intense, not shifting even for a second. “I like a heads-up when you can give it, but don’t feel like you can’t come to me with things.” He gently brushed a lock of curly hair off her cheek. “I know I’m not the most...easy to get along with. But I care for you, Kat.” He opened his mouth to say more, but closed it again, shaking his head. “Wish you didn’t go through what you did.”
“Thanks.” She replied. “Could have done without the reprise in Galar, but here we are.”
“Mmm.” Nanu hummed, frowning for a moment. “You’ve got some nerve, though, going straight into the fray after all that. I thought you trying to scale Po Town’s walls was reckless enough.”
Katla lifted a shoulder.
“Had to be me. Didn’t want someone else to suffer the same things I went through. Besides,” a smile pulled at her lips, “this time I wasn’t alone. I had Hop with me.”
"And Kabu.” The kahuna murmured.
“Yeah...” She nodded, letting her mind wander back to a different time, a different place. Yet she’d been in much the same position, nestled against the chest of a man she loved as she’d tried to come to terms with what just happened.
“You’re not alone any more.” Nanu spoke, voice rumbling against her. “We won’t let that happen to you again.” His arm tightened around her for just a second.
The sound of the rainstorm filled the silence between them, before a Meowth yowled impatiently.
“Cripes, you can’t be hungry already?” Nanu groaned, answered by chorus of meows and one elegant ‘Perr~’. “Alright, alright. I’m coming, you bottomless pits.” He flashed Katla a weak smile before he got up, somehow managing to summon every Meowth in the station to cluster around his ankles within two steps. Perla joined them, albeit at a more sedate pace, taking the time to stretch luxuriously after descending from her perch.
Left alone for the moment, the trainer leaned back against the couch, letting out a deep breath. Thank Arceus. That went better than I expected.
(I wrote more Katla/Kabu stuff because why the hell not. Sometime after this fic here. Katla is 26 years old.)
“Alright Sirfetch’d, finish it off! Brick Break!” Katla cried.
The Wild Duck Pokemon uttered a loud cry, charging into the fray. His Snorlax opponent swung out an arm to stop him, only for Sirfetch’d to parry the blow with his leek shield, accompanying sword glowing bright white.
“Sir-fetch’d!” He slashed the sword up and into Snorlax’s immense belly, causing the Sleeping Pokemon to utter a deep, defeated moan, tottering back before crumpling to the floor with a loud thud.
“And you win again...” Hop groaned, returning his Pokemon back to its Pokeball as their impromptu crowd erupted into applause.
“Yup.” Katla smiled, giving her Sirfetch’d an affectionate pat on the head before she too returned him to his ball. “But you don’t do too bad for yourself, Hop. Get your Pokemon rested up, and you’ll be ready to take on Gordie straight away.”
The younger man brightened, scratching the back of his head.
“You really think so, mate?”
“Sure!” The young woman nodded, slipping her hands into her hoodie pockets. “You gave me a good fight, and I’ve only just come out of there. So you’ll be just fine. Go for it!”
“Alright!” Hop grinned widely, already on the move again. “Look out Gordie, here I come!”
Sonia chuckled, shaking her head as the young trainer bounded away.
“Seems like he finally shook off that gloom.” She commented. “I’m glad - Leon’d worry if Hop wasn’t feeling alright.”
“Yeah.” Katla nodded, hiding her scowl. One of these days I’m going to give Bede what he deserves. “I worry too. Kid’s a ball of sunshine. If I can keep him blazing bright as long as I can, I will.”
“Sure.” Sonia nodded, curling her orange hair around her finger. “You wouldn’t want your rival to be down in the dumps, after all.” The trainer was about to retort it had more to do with the fact he was her friend when the researcher continued: “Anyway, I’m planning to look into things in the Slumbering Weald a little more. See ya!”
Katla waved her goodbye, noticing that the crowd that had mostly dispersed now the action was over, chattering excitedly about the two Gym Challengers, and who they were supporting in the upcoming matches. The trainer hadn’t expected a history lesson to have resulted in a Pokemon battle, but when Hop was raring to go, there was little that could dissuade him. At least everything was still as they found it.
She was about to make her own way towards the Pokemon Centre when she glimpsed a familiar black and red coat, just visible behind one of the ancient stone columns. Her heart skipped a beat, and the trainer wandered idly over, pretending to just pass by.
“Hey stranger,” she said, glancing at the older man out of the corner of her eye. “Shall we find somewhere a little quieter?”
“Lead on.” His soft, deep voice replied, his smile clear within.
The pair walked away from the Hero’s Bath, making their way through Circhester’s numerous winding streets until they found an empty patch of land on the edge of town, a copse of snow-laden trees guarding them from curious eyes.
“I did not expect to find you and Hop having a Pokemon battle in the middle of the Hero’s Bath.” Kabu commented, a warm smile on his lips. “Especially so soon after your stupendous battle with Gordie.”
Katla blushed, chuckling shyly.
“O-Oh well, it wasn’t anything special, just a nice tough fight, went through all the motions...”
“Perhaps, but I'm very glad I had the good fortune to be in the crowd.” Kabu replied. “To witness the bond between you and your Pokemon is a privilege, whichever side of the field I’m on.”
“Aw, thanks.” Her face was burning up now, despite the chill in the air. “But you’re definitely flattering me now.”
“Nonsense.” His smile widened, twinkling in his eyes. “I am merely giving a masterful trainer the honours she deserves.”
“Stooop!” Katla giggled, waving a hand at him. “I’m not toast, don’t butter me up like this!”
The Gym Leader chuckled, making her heart skip its next beat and Murkrow feet crinkle in the corners of his eyes.
“You’re fun to tease, Katla,” he said, something soft to his tone that made her heart do a somersault, another in the series of gymnastics it was apparently performing.
“Don’t tell me the only reason you were watching us fight was to torment me later.” She replied, trying to salvage some composure from the situation.
“In truth, I was hoping to cross paths with you again.” Kabu said. “It was lucky coincidence that I happened to notice your sparring with Hop.” His smile widened. “More so that we now have this fleeting time to ourselves.”
“Yeah.” The young woman nodded, glancing around them. Aside from the occasional soft whisper of wind through the trees, the snow absorbed all sound, cloaking the pair with silence. “It’s nice. Just wish it was warmer.”
“Yes. I like to think I have adapted to Galar’s fickle weather patterns, but I have never managed to insulate myself from the cold, especially here.” The Gym Leader commented, creases appearing between his eyebrows. “You’re not too cold, are you Katla? We can find somewhere warmer if you need-”
“Oh no no!” She replied hurriedly, pulling her hoodie a little tighter around herself. “I’m alright, thanks Kabu. I just...I’m not really a fan of chilly places either. The only place I went to that had an Ice type gym that wasn’t freezing cold was Mahogany Town in Johto, and even that place had a chill in the air.” Katla gave a lopsided smile. “I guess that’s why I don’t tend to have many Ice type Pokemon. Prefer the heat over the cold.”
“Perhaps.” Kabu’s concerned frown remained for a moment, before he opened his arm out to her. “Regardless, if you are cold, come a little closer. I’m told I run hot.”
Katla hesitated for a moment, glancing behind her. Yet, safe in the knowledge that no-one would see them at a cursory glance, she took his offer, moving to stand at his side. To her surprise, he curled his arm around her, pulling her close into his body. Katla felt herself warm up, but she didn’t think it was just from Kabu’s heat.
There was a pause.
“Better?” He asked softly.
“Yeah. Thank you.” She shifted slightly closer, noting how nicely her body fit against his.
Another brief moment of silence passed between them before Kabu spoke again.
“You’ll be leaving for Spikemuth tomorrow, I presume?”
Katla nodded.
“Yeah. Hopefully it’s a little warmer than this place.”
“Once you pass through the icy stretch of Circhester Bay, you will be pleased to find it warms up again.” Kabu smiled. “Unlike the other towns and cities you have been to, however, it lacks a Power Spot.”
“Oh, so no Dynamaxing, then.” The trainer lifted a shoulder, smirking. “No skin off my back - pretty much back to basics for me.”
The Man of Fire’s smile was amused.
“Of course. Then Piers should pose little challenge for you.”
“Oh no, the last time I was that confident was against Opal, and, well, we know how well that went.” Katla replied, glancing away. “Besides, considering he’s just behind Raihan in rankings without access to a Power Spot, that probably means he’s a force to be reckoned with.”
She swore she saw Kabu’s silver eyes sparkle.
“Very perceptive. Now I see another facet in what makes you such a skilled trainer and Gym Challenger.”
Katla blushed.
“C’mon Kabu, we’ve been over this! Stop buttering me up.” As the older man chuckled, a thought suddenly occurred to her. “Wait. I don’t remember a Piers. He wasn’t at the opening ceremony, was he?”
“You’re correct, he wasn’t.” Kabu sighed. “Piers is very...independent. He and Chairman Rose have clashed numerous times. Piers cares deeply for the future of Spikemuth, and he blames the town’s misfortunes on its lack of a Power Spot.” The Gym Leader shook his head. “Whilst he prefers to keep to himself, it is clear to see the issue troubles him deeply. I only wish I could offer him answers for his problems.”
“I can understand why he’d probably not want to go to the opening ceremony, then.” Katla commented. “What does he specialise in?”
“Dark types.” The older man replied.
“Huh.” The younger woman hummed. “Reminds me of a guy I met in Alola. Kinda abrasive and aloof, but deep down you knew he really gave a shit.”
For a moment, she let images swim up from her memory - red eyes; glowing in the dark, a smirk; full of promise, his face between- and then she quickly pushed them down again, blinking hard and hoping that she wasn’t blushing. Again.
She glanced back up at Kabu, who was looking down at her thoughtfully, his eyes glazed as his gaze was turned inwards. His face didn’t betray his thoughts, however, when he resurfaced.
“Yes. Indeed...” A small smile pulled at his lips. “I don’t suppose I need to ask you if you've ever fought Dark types before, do I?”
“No.” Katla replied. “I’ve fought them before, and the Alola guy was specialised in them, so I know what they’re like in the hands of a master.” And weren’t those hands masterful- she quickly squelched that thought by adding: “Trouble. Very troublesome. I was lucky to beat him. Which is why I’m not gonna get drawn in to thinking I’ve already got this.” She stuffed her hands into her hoodie pockets. “Like I said, learned my lesson the last time.”
“Of course.” Kabu nodded. “Yet forewarned is forearmed.” His smile widened. “I have every faith that you will do well against Piers, Katla. I look forward to seeing your match.”
“T-Thanks.” The young woman couldn’t help but smile shyly, her face flushing. “It means a lot to hear you say that. I’ll do my best.”
The Gym Leader nodded again, satisfied, and a brief silence settled around them, like the snow that was beginning to fall.
“Guess you’ve got stuff to be getting back to as well.” Katla said, looking up at him.
“Yes. I will be taking a taxi back to Motostoke this evening to resume my duties. There are still trainers attempting my Gym Challenge, though it will not be long before their window of opportunity will close.” His silver eyes slid over to meet hers, a smile pulling at his lips. “I don’t think it will be long before at least two trainers will qualify for the Semifinals.”
The trainer arched an eyebrow at him.
“Putting the cart before the Mudbray a little there, Kabu. I’ve gotta beat Piers and Raihan. Either one could put an end to it.”
“Perhaps.” Kabu turned to face her properly, reaching out to gently take her hands. “But I have faith you can do it. I see the spark in your eyes, Katla. You have a burning flame that cannot be extinguished. I sensed it when I first met you, and felt it in our battle. I am sure you will make it through to the Semifinals.”
‘The Ever-Burning Man of Fire’ seemed an appropriate moniker for the Hoenn Gym Leader, with the way his touch seemed to cause Katla’s face and heart to heat up, the latter skipping a beat. His smile was as warm as his hands, and for a moment, they remained like this, Katla wondering how fate had brought her to this point in time.
And then Kabu leaned closer, paused, before he tentatively pressed a kiss to her lips. It only took a second, maybe just two, but the heat it caused, rippling out from the Galar trainer’s heart, seemed to sharpen every sense she possessed as if Katla had awoken from the deepest, most restful slumber she’d ever had.
She blinked Rowlet-ishly up at him, noticing the older man’s sheepish expression - despite his bold move, a blush was beginning to darken across his cheeks, and he glanced away.
Suddenly his scarf poked its head up, peering up at him with an inquisitive: ‘Si?’ Kabu’s blush darkened, and he chuckled at his little companion’s confusion, Katla unable to resist giggling too.
“It’s alright, little one,” he said softly, stroking the Radiator Pokemon’s flat head with his finger. “Be at peace.” The Sizzlipede’s eyes closed, and it trilled with pleasure before returning to its duty around Kabu’s neck, the young woman wondering if her blood was made of magma, the amount of warmth she could feel leaking from her heart.
“Looks like you took your friend by surprise.” Katla spoke, and almost kicked herself for trying to make light of the situation. He smiled shyly, an expression she never thought she’d ever see on the older man’s face.
“Yes. And several others.” He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “I...I apologise, Katla. That was...foolish of me.”
“No no, it wasn’t.” She shook her head, stepping closer. “You surprised me, sure, but, but it wasn’t unwelcome.” If she kept blushing like this, her face was going to get stuck this way. “I liked it.”
The trainer had to admit it was amusing to see his composure slip out of his fingertips again, his blush creeping across his face.
“Oh? Are you sure? I don’t want to- you mustn’t feel like you should accept my advances because-”
“Kabu.” It was Katla’s turn to grasp his hands, squeezing them between her own. “It’s fine. If I didn’t want it, you would know.” A pause, deciding not to provide the example. “I promise, I will let you know if we start going too fast or too far. I know this might be the first relationship I’ve ever been in, but I’m twenty six - I’ve been around long enough to know what I want and who I want it with.”
Her blue eyes met Kabu’s grey, the older man watching her intently. “Trust me, please?”
“I do.” He nodded. “I’m just-” A pause. “Forgive me, Katla. I worry.”
“I know.” She squeezed his hands again. “It works both ways, though. If you feel uncomfortable, or like I’m the one going too fast or too far, you let me know too, okay?”
“Of course. Of course.” He replied, giving her hands an answering, if more tentative squeeze. Another pause, before a shy smile graced his lips. “For this being your first relationship, you show considerable wisdom.”
“Heh, I’ve just been working from what I picked up from various places.” Katla chuckled weakly. “I’m pretty sure I’ve still got a lot to learn.”
“As have I.” Kabu smiled, giving her hands one last squeeze before he pulled away. “Anyway, I fear I have taken up more than enough of your time, Katla. My apologies.”
“It’s fine, Kabu. I’m more worried that I’ve been the one taking up your time, with you being a Gym Leader and everything.” A half-smile pulled at her lips. “But, before you go...”
As the Hoenn man gave her a quizzical look, Katla leaned up and pressed her own kiss to his lips, unable to hide her smile as he blinked widely, his blush starting to reappear on his cheeks.
“...Oh.” He uttered quietly, lifting a hand as if to touch an imprint she left behind.
“I, I better go.” Katla said, stepping away. “I-It’s been nice chatting with you, Kabu. We’ll talk again sometime soon, yeah?”
“Oh, yes, of course.” The Gym Leader replied. “Safe travels, Katla. Best of luck for Piers.”
“Safe journey back to Motostoke!” She waved, before turning to walk back into Circhester, trying restrain the excited skip in her step.
---
“Siiizz?” Kabu had been watching the young woman leave when his Sizzlipede called to him again, having uncurled just enough to give him a Look, one that he couldn’t quite identify.
Despite the cold snow settling over his bench coat and into his hair, his face felt as hot as his Pokemon’s belly scales, and Kabu swore his lips were still tingling from Katla’s kiss. He managed a lopsided smile at his companion.
“It’s, it’s fine, little one,” he said, again, although he found his gaze drifting back to where the trainer had gone. “She’s just...a very special friend.”
The Radiator Pokemon did not look convinced this time, tilting its head and quivering its fiery moustache. Kabu sighed softly.
“Perhaps...Perhaps a bit more than that.” He admitted.
Katla woke with a start, mind racing and heart pounding, a weak cry knotting in her throat. She was greeted by darkness and quiet and warmth, and it took a moment for her to take stock in her surroundings.
No, she wasn’t on the top of Hammerlocke’s tower, standing alone in the midst of a cataclysm, unable to move as a Pokemon of great and terrible power loomed over her.
She was in Ula’Ula’s Police Station’s bed, sandwiched between three warm, sleeping bodies, safe and secure. Katla rubbed her eyes, holding back her sigh. Another nightmare. She glanced quickly down at her three lovers, reassured that they hadn’t seemed to have stirred with her awakening.
Whilst she should just lie back down and try to go back to sleep, the young trainer didn’t want to risk getting sucked back into her memories. So, with practiced care, she shimmied out from under the covers, and gently, carefully slid her way down and off the end of the bed. She checked back again, before she squeezed out through the bedroom door.
The moon was bright this night, helping Katla make her way through the hallway to the main room of the station, avoiding the slumbering bundles of Meowth that dotted the floor and other surfaces. It wouldn’t be long before one of them noticed her presence and tried to unsuccessfully wrangle a midnight feast out of her.
As she made her way to the couch, hoping she could find a place to sit for a while, a large shape lifted its head from it, uttering a deep, guttural purr.
“Hi Perla.” Katla murmured, voice thick from sleep. “Can I sit by you? Had a bad night.”
The Persian very obligingly shifted her paws and head out of the way to let the Galar trainer sit, before she rested them on top of her lap, her purrs rumbling into her. Katla sank her hands into the cat’s thick, soft fur, feeling her tension slowly bleed away. For about the fifth time, she gave silent thanks to Perla - she wasn’t quite sure how she’d earned her friendship and respect, yet the Classy Cat had paid her over more than she could count.
Katla leaned back into the couch, absently petting Perla and staring at a sliver of moonlight through one of the station windows. She was considering closing her eyes and trying to sleep here when a deep voice sounded out:
“Had another one, Spitfire?”
The trainer jumped a little, turning her head to see a pair of red eyes gleaming out of the darkness, then the stooped figure they were attached to. She sighed softly.
“Yeah. Bad one.” She replied, looking away. “I’m sorry, Nanu.”
“Don’t apologize.” He replied, shuffling towards the kitchenette, a Meowth uttering a quiet ‘mya?’ as they noticed him. “Tapu Cocoa?”
“Yeah, sure.”
After a minute and several various ways Nanu told his Meowth that ‘no, they weren’t getting fed in the middle of the night’, the Kahuna made his way over the couch, setting the two steaming mugs on the table opposite. Perla gracefully moved aside, letting her trainer sit next to Katla, the Meowth clustering around them, eyeing the older man with pleading eyes.
“Thanks.”
“Mmm.” Nanu grunted, leaning back and stretching his legs out, ignoring his audience.
There was a long moment of silence between them, filled only by the Meowth sulkily breaking off to return to their naps. It was a pleasant quiet - neither trainer nor Kahuna needed to say anything to fill it, especially since this wasn’t the first time they’d been here.
“Still feel bad for waking you.” Katla finally murmured.
“I wake if a Cutiefly sneezes.” He replied. “If you feel that bad about it, then cover for me tomorrow.”
A smile managed to pull at her lips.
“You know I do that for you anyway.”
“Well then, I can’t help you.” He lifted a shoulder. “Seriously Kat, if anyone knows what it’s like, it’s me. Don’t worry about it. Look after yourself.”
“I know. I just...”
“Kat, do you really think Stela or Sparks would be even the slightest bit mad that you’re doing this?” Nanu’s sharp black eyebrow arched up at her.
“Well...no-”
“Then there’s your answer.” He leaned forward, taking his mug with one hand, and waving with the other. “Don’t start. We’re all in agreement. Just sit here and get your mind off it.”
Katla opened her mouth to protest, but Nanu silenced her with a look. She sighed, taking her own mug. It warmed her hands, soothing her, though it could have just as easily have been the presence next to her.
“You can sleep here, if you like.” He spoke softly. “I’ll stay.”
She blinked up at him.
“Are, are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t offer otherwise.” He replied, stretching out an arm. “C’mere.”
Katla shifted in close to the Kahuna’s side, resting her head on his shoulder. He was taller than her, and although bigger than the slim trainer, he was still fairly lean, yet that didn’t seem to matter when she was tucked up next to him.
“Thank you, Nanu.” She whispered.
“You’re welcome, Kitty-Kat.” Was his reply somewhere in her thick brown curls, and she couldn’t help a smile at the affectionate nickname. I love you, she thought, hoping her would know by the way she nuzzled into his chest, listening to the sound of his heart.
(A self-indulgent little self-insert fic I wrote up so I could maybe stop thirsting over Kabu for five minutes. Hopefully this doesn’t awaken anything in me. Protag is 26.)
“Not on your way to Hammerlocke, Gym Challenger?”
Katla jumped at the sudden voice behind her, her eyes widening when the young woman saw who it was.
“Kabu!” Heat rushed into her face for reasons she didn’t really want to consider as she turned to address Motostoke’s gym leader. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t expect to see you out here.” She grinned weakly, inwardly cursing how she fumbled over her words. He’s just a man, calm down.
If Kabu was offended, he didn’t show it, his silver eyes seeming to twinkle.
“Likewise...Katla, was it?” He nodded as she did. “I expected you would be well on your way to your next challenge. Your friend seemed very eager to be away.”
She chuckled weakly, shoving her hands in her black trouser pockets.
“Yeah, that’s Hop for you. Running through everywhere at break-neck speed.” She looked over her shoulder at the place she’d set up camp, and the Pokemon that frolicked around it. “I prefer to take my time training and catching new Pokemon. We’ll get to the next gym in time, no matter how many times Hop calls me a Slowpoke.”
“Understandable.” Kabu replied. “It was clear from our battle that you spent as much time as possible training before it.”
A smile pulled at Katla’s lips.
“Figured it was only polite, seeing that you were doing the same in Galar’s Number 2 mine.”
The older man chuckled, a soft, warm sound that made her heart skip a beat.
“That’s very considerate of you,” he said.
There was a loud thrill from their feet, revealed to be a Sizzlipede, peering inquisitively up at the two trainers. Forgetting her company, Katla immediately crouched down to greet the creature.
“Hello sweetheart!” She cooed, stroking the little bug under her ‘chin’. “How’s the baby doing?”
The Sizzlipede replied in a very happy thrill, closing her eyes and starting to curl herself warmly around her trainer’s hand.
“I see you chose to catch a Sizzlipede during the Gym Mission.” Kabu commented, and despite his calm voice, she could hear a smile in it.
“Yeah, and a Litwick too.” Katla glanced briefly over her shoulder at him, still petting the Pokemon snuggling against her hand. “I’ve been trying to catch a Sizzlipede for ages, actually. I spent so much time on Route 3 hunting for one, but I never got even a glimpse. Eventually I decided I best keep moving, and one day I’d come back or find one somewhere in the Wild Area.”
“So when I saw I could catch one for your Gym Mission, well...Almost a dream come true.” She smiled as the Bug Pokemon glanced at her curiously. “Now I have this lovely little one to join me on my adventure.” Katla tenderly stroked Sizzlipede’s ‘cheek’ with her thumb. “A living memento of our battle.”
There was a pause, just a little bit longer than would be normal, and Katla looked back up at the Gym Leader, brows arched with confusion. Kabu wasn’t really looking at her, yet he wasn’t really looking at the Sizzlipede around her hand either, not really. His gaze was far-away and none of his thoughts reflected on his face.
He seemed to notice her looking, however, and he smiled properly. Damn, he looks handsome.
“It was an invigorating battle, for certain.” He lifted his gaze up and away, towards the body of water Katla’s Gyarados was swimming in. “Whilst I may not have anything physical to remember it by, I will treasure the memory.”
Katla felt her face heat up again, and she tried to ignore it, especially when Sizzlipede seemed to become curious about her blush, reaching up with trembling whiskers.
“You’re welcome. Glad I could provide a challenge,” she said.
“You certainly did.” Another pause. “When are you going to tell Hop your secret?”
The trainer’s heart froze in her chest. He’s bluffing, he can’t know. Keep talking.
“What secret would that be?”
Kabu’s gaze bored into her.
“You’ve had prior experience of other Leagues, Katla. I could tell from our battle that you’ve fought competitively before. Perhaps not in the form it takes in Galar, but the other more...’traditional’ Leagues.” Kabu said. “Can I assume that you’ve not told your friend about this?”
Katla looked away, pressing her lips together into a thin line. She tried to ignore the concerned noise Sizzlipede made as she sensed her trainer’s change of mood. Guess he’s rumbled me.
“You’re right on both accounts.” She admitted, soothing the Bug Pokemon. “I’ve done this sort of thing before. Couple of times, actually.” She sighed. “I didn’t want to tell Hop ‘cos...He can be annoying sometimes, especially with all that bloody ‘Champion’ talk, but he’s a sweet kid. Don’t think he’s got a mean bone in him. Just seemed a bit cruel to tell him ‘yeah no I’ve been doing this for years, kiddo’ - just seemed better to make him think we’re both on equal ground, you know?”
“He will find out eventually.”
“If he or I don’t get knocked out towards the end of the Challenge, then yeah. Probably.” Katla lowered her hand to the ground, letting Sizzlipede scuttle off.
“The longer you leave it, the worse a reaction he will have when you finally tell him.” Kabu warned, and Katla bristled.
“Yeah, I know! But I’m in too deep now and there’s never gonna be a good time to dump it on him.” She sighed, forcing her shoulders to relax to release some of her tension. “Knowing my luck, it’s gonna be when he’s boasting about when he’s gonna be the champion and I finally snap at him.”
“All the more reason to do it soon.” There was another brief pause, where Katla expected him to continue pestering her. But when he spoke again, his tack had changed.
“Which League did you start with?”
“League? Uhh, Hoenn. I came of age to get my first Pokemon there, despite growing up here, mostly.“ She rose up from crouching as he knees began to complain. “My first Pokemon was a Torchic. She became the closest companion I ever had. Still is, I think, despite all the other regions I've been to. Wish I could bring her to Galar, but I think that’d be a bit unfair on the other trainers!”
“Ah, Hoenn!” Kabu smiled properly for the first time. “That is where I’m originally from.”
“Really?” Katla’s eyebrow rose. “Dang, you’re originally from Hoenn, come to lead a Galar gym, and I’m originally from Galar, and I started off in Hoenn.” She chuckled, lifting a shoulder. “Weird how these things turn out.”
“Indeed. Torchic is a very good choice.” He titled his head to the side, eyeing the Drizzile about to pelt Gyarados with a water bomb. “But you chose a Sobble to begin your journey in Galar?”
“I’ve always wobbled between Fire and Water starter Pokemon.” Katla said. “I tend to gravitate to Fire and Flying types, but I like to keep a broad team. That and Scorbunny just...we didn’t jive. But Sobble did. She’s a pretty tough girl too.”
“She is. You have trained her well.” Kabu nodded.
“I know it’s par for the course, with you being a Gym Leader and all, but yours are really well trained too.” Katla said. “Definitely gave me and my team a tough challenge.” She started to smile weakly as she realized she was starting to babble. Shut up shut up shut up.
A brief moment of silence settled between them, watching Katla’s Pokemon amuse themselves. Gyarados and Drizzile played together, whilst a Corvisquire preened himself, throwing wary glances at the Boltund play-bowing at Sizzlipede. Despite their obvious size difference, the little bug Pokemon seemed eager to accept the bigger canine’s offer. The only other Pokemon keeping to itself was Farfetch’d, absorbed with cleaning his leek.
“I notice your Carkol isn’t among your team.” Kabu commented.
“No. I keep a big team, I have to keep rotating them.” A smile pulled at the side of Katla’s lips. “After winning your gym battle, I think she earned a bit of a rest. Need to give the others time to shine.”
“Of course. Training them all to the same high standard takes effort, and a lot of time.”
“Yeah. I dunno who runs the Pokemon storage systems, but I think I’m not much liked by them. I tend to catch a lot of Pokemon I caught before in other regions for other Leagues. I have two Roselias now, for instance - one from Sinnoh and one from here.” She chuckled weakly. “One day I’ll have to go through them and see who I can keep and who would be better off elsewhere.”
Katla winced, and she looked away, face heating up in embarrassment. “Sorry, I don’t mean to talk your ear off. You’re, you probably don’t want to hear about that boring stuff.”
“I don’t mind.” Kabu said, which she assumed was out of politeness. “But I have taken up enough of your time.” He turned to her, a small smile on his features. “I wish you the best of luck in your Gym Challenge, Katla. I will be watching your matches with interest.”
Now she was sure she was blushing, with her face boiling up as it was.
“Oh, well, thanks!” She managed to splutter out. “I’ll, I’ll try to live up to your expectations.”
“I’m sure you will.” Kabu replied. “So long as you are true to yourself, and unleash the potential I witnessed during our battle.” He gave a quick nod, before turning away. “Travel safe, Katla.”
“You too, Kabu. Bye!” He lifted a hand in response, before he jogged away, leaving the trainer alone with her Pokemon and her thoughts.
“Si?” Sizzlipede was at her feet again, peering up at her curiously.
“Hey little girl.” Katla smiled, crouching down to the bug again. Seeing its expression, she gave a lopsided smile. “Ah, it’s nothing. I just...I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Sizzlipede trilled, reaching up to clamber onto Katla’s leg so she could receive some more pettings. Her trainer smiled, watching the Pokemon relax into her hand.
Kabu’s gonna be watching my next matches? Bloody hell, no pressure.
Snug as a Snom was a warm, homely cafe, that seemed almost completely empty for what would soon be the beginning of the lunch rush. Katla let Kabu do the talking to the owner, who only spared a mildly interested glance to the young woman. She gestured for them to sit in a booth that was tucked away, well out of sight from the main cafe floor and windows.
Katla sat down first, scooting along the seat towards the wall and wriggling out of her coat. Kabu sat opposite her, shrugging out of his bench coat. As he did, however, his scarf suddenly wriggled, opening its eyes.
“A Sizzlipede?” She exclaimed, as the little bug uncurled from the gym leader’s neck, scuttling down his chest.
“I find that few scarves compare to the warmth of a Sizzlipede.” Kabu smiled, petting the creature as it wandered onto the table. “That reminds me. How is your own Sizzlipede coming along? I haven’t seen it in any of your gym matches.”
“Oh, she’s coming along fine.” Katla smiled, silently glad that their argument had briefly been forgotten. She traced her fingers along her belt until she felt the tell-tale criss-cross of a Net ball. She tugged it free, and released the Pokemon within onto the floor beside them.
Kabu’s eyes widened, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Ahh, she’s evolved into a fine Centiskorch,” he said, the no-longer petite bug Pokemon swinging her large head around to look adoringly at her trainer.
“Yes.” Katla smiled. “She’s become a key staple of my team, actually. Now she’s my first choice if I need a fire or bug type.” She reached out to pet Centiskorch, rubbing her flat head, tracing the markings there with her fingers.
“Skorrr...” The Pokemon rumbled, leaning into her touch.
“You’ve certainly bonded tightly to one another.” Kabu commented, eyeing the Sizzlipede peering curiously up at its bigger counterpart.
“Yeah.” Katla nodded. “I love her very much.”
“Korr!” Centiskorch cried, before she scuttled forward, head dipping down as she tried to clamber onto Katla’s lap.
“Oh no no honey!” Katla pushed the Pokemon back down. “Not right now! There’s not enough room for you up here.”
“Centi...” The Pokemon looked up at her trainer with the most pathetic expression it could pull, her fiery antennae drooping.
“I know sweety. We can have cuddles when we get back.” The trainer sighed, running a hand over the Pokemon’s head. “I’ve gotta talk to Kabu about something important, okay?”
Centiskorch looked sadly up at her, but returned to her Pokeball without complaint. Katla looked back to see Kabu returning the Sizzlipede to its ball too, his good humour gone.
An awkward silence hung between them, broken briefly by the waitress serving their drinks. Katla stared at her cup of tea, willing the words to come and half-wishing she’d brought Hop along as back-up.
“I presume we are here to discuss the contents of my letter.” Kabu spoke, mercifully rescuing them.
“Yeah.” Katla nodded. Let’s cut to the chase. “Kabu...About what you said about me throwing the matches...”
He winced, eyebrows briefly knotting.
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry, Katla, I should never have insinuated that you were doing anything of the sort. It was incredibly insulting to both you and your opponents,” he said.
“You shouldn’t apologise for everything you said about it.” Katla spoke slowly. Kabu’s silver eyes immediately snapped to hers, their stare boring into her. “I never deliberately threw or sabotaged my matches. But, after our fight...I thought about it. It was the first time I’ve ever done that, really.”
She folded her arms, resting them on the table, unable to meet his gaze.
“I might not have been consciously performing badly, but I...I can’t guarantee that I was at my best, that I was pulling out all the stops. Like when I’d start losing I’d just...go through the motions, let it happen. Lose in the middle of an Elite Four challenge, that’d be it. I wouldn’t try again, I’d just walk away for good, pretend it never happened.”
She sighed.
“I don’t know for sure, but...you might have been right. I might have been scared of becoming the Champion again that I never pushed myself, never really...tried, with my heart and soul and everything behind me.” Katla closed her eyes for a moment. “Maybe...Maybe that’s what happened with Diantha, in Kalos. I was fighting the champion, doing well...perhaps the thought I might finally be doing this spooked me, and she just...Well, she’s the champion, and as soon as I let up on the pressure she took advantage and then...” The trainer shrugged, pulling herself upright again.
“So yeah. I think you had a good point, actually, and I don’t want you to apologise for it.” She managed to drag her gaze up to meet Kabu’s. “You’re the first person who’s ever really...pinned me down on it. I reacted badly to it all, and I’m sorry. I know you just wanted to help me. You didn’t deserve what you got.”
Kabu’s face was a mask, even his eyes unreadable. The silence between them stretched out for a while before he spoke again.
“Thank you for your honesty, Katla,” he said, his tone and gaze softening. “Are you planning to continue with the Gym Challenge?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “I owe it to myself, and to Hop.” A wry smile pulled at the corner of her lips. “I promised him I’d wouldn’t go easy on him in the Semifinals. He was worried I was going to let up so I wouldn’t have to face Leon.”
One of Kabu’s eyebrows quirked up.
“Ah, so your secret has been revealed.”
“Yeah. I wanted to tell him sooner, but...things got in the way, so I told him now.” She glanced down, managing a smile. “He was really understanding, actually. He’s...He’s a really great friend, more than I deserve. For his sake, I gotta do my best. He deserves nothing less.”
“And of Leon...?”
“I...” Katla hesitated. “I don’t know.” She glanced down at her drink. “I doubt I’ll beat him, but there’s that ‘what if’ in the back of my mind. I mean, in my last League I actually got to the Champion, and I did well. It’s possible I could do so again, maybe even...”
Kabu titled his head, his expression kind.
“You’re still worried about becoming Champion again.”
She nodded.
“Yeah. It’s still in back of my mind. But...it’s been so long. I was eleven when I became Champ the first time. It’s been fifteen years, and I’ve grown up a lot. Had more experiences. I might...I might be ready for it now.”
There was the soft hiss of clothing as Kabu leaned forwards, resting his hands mere inches from her own.
“Perhaps.” He spoke. “But Katla, I want you to know, that if you become the Champion, you will not be left alone. All of the Gym leaders, including myself, will be here to support you, as will Leon. He would not leave anyone to take his place without standing by them to let them gain their footing. And even then, he would be ready to aid you in any means necessary. As we all would. As...I would.”
She glanced up at him, noticing that despite his calm expression, Kabu seemed unsure.
“Whatever happens, I will be here for you,” he said quietly. “Whether you become Champion or not, I will support you. I would do anything in my power to help you.”
Unbidden, she recalled his words from the letter, and what he had uttered in the flustered exchange in Hammerlocke, when she’d been too hurt and angry to register them. “You are one of the finest trainers I have known, Katla. I care about you, and I don’t want you and your potential to be squandered. I want the best for you, whatever that may be.”
Her heart quickened its rhythm as she considered her next move.
“Kabu?”
“Yes?”
A deep breath.
“You...you said in your letter that you care for me, and that you...admire me, right?”
“Yes, I did.” Kabu’s face was inscrutable, but he was completely, utterly focused on her.
“Well,” Katla licked her lips, trying to get the words right, “I think...I think I feel the same way. I, I’ve had a crush on you, ever since we met in Galar Mine Two. I mean, you’re handsome, good-looking, enough to make anyone do a double take if they saw you. But you’re also kind, gentle, really supportive - warm, even.” She had to glance away for a moment, unable to hold his gaze.
“I know I had to beat you in order to continue my Gym Challenge, but a part of me wanted the battle to keep going, you know? Just to stay a little longer with you. It’s been the same every time - I like when you’re with me and I wanna just keep being with you. Even if it’s just to talk like this. Maybe not even talking. I-I mean when you met me in the Wild Area and we were just standing together watching my Pokemon, it was...it was great.”
She glanced back to him. “Our argument messed me up. I-I know you said you didn’t want me burdened by it, but I was, pretty badly. I felt like I pushed away the kindest, most supportive man I knew, over something as childish as ‘I didn’t like that he pointed out a thing’. It was like I’d torn a little piece of myself out and thrown it away. It bothered me a lot.”
“What I’m trying to say is that...I have feelings for you, Kabu. I’m not...quite sure what they are, or how deep they run, but they are there. And...” Another breath, her heart drumming feverishly under her sternum. “And...I think you might have some feelings towards me, too?”
The gym leader’s eyes were wide, and he was clearly surprised (if not a little shocked), though his expression softened after a couple of seconds. Katla could almost see the gears turning in his head as he processed her words and...was it the light, or was there the faintest hint of a blush on his weathered cheeks?
The silence seemed to last for an hour before Kabu spoke again, his voice so quiet she could barely hear him.
“I...I do,” he said, his gaze darting away shyly. “My curiosity has...become more than that. My admiration has deepened, my care...gone further than I had expected it to go. I did not want to mention it to you in my letter, as...” He swallowed, returning his gaze to her. “Katla, I’m sure you are aware of our difference in age. You are young and spry, with the whole world at your fingertips. My summer days have passed. I cannot offer you what a partner your own age can offer.”
“I know.” Katla nodded. “But I’ve not got feelings for them.” She reached out, gently resting her hand on his. “I’ve got feelings for you.”
Kabu blinked, and now his shock was as clear as a sunrise.
“K-Katla,” he stuttered. “Are you....are you sure?”
“I don’t know how deep the feelings go, but I’m sure as my heart beats that they’re for you.” She replied, pulling her hand back slightly. “I’m willing to explore how deep they go for you...if you want to.” She smiled weakly, her nerve wavering. “I mean, I know how it is, me being a challenger, you a gym leader, and the media and all. I know we couldn’t have this open or anything. I-I mean if you even wanted to-”
Katla’s descent into nervous babbling was swiftly silenced when Kabu’s hand took hers, rough with callouses, yet warm and gentle.
“I do want to,” he said, smiling in a way that made her heart skip a beat. “Whilst you are right about us having to keep this between the two of us, I want to explore this every bit as much as you do.”
“Really?” Her face flushed, both at his touch and the realization that this was happening.
“Yes.” His smile widened kindly. “I hadn’t considered it, assuming that your feelings towards me ran a different course. I didn’t want to create an expectation for you to return my feelings, either.” His expression became serious. “Katla, you mustn’t go along with this because you think you should. I am aware you aren’t a child, but I have a responsibility to not use my influence for power.”
“That’s why I didn’t initially do anything - with you being a Gym Leader, I thought you’d have either have no interest in me, or, well, the power difference would make it awkward.” She explained. “But Kabu, I wouldn’t be here if these feelings weren’t my own. Heck, like I said, I didn’t think you’d even feel anything towards me.”
“And I thought I was perhaps misreading the situation.” The worried lines of Kabu’s frown were smoothed away. “It appears we were at an impasse, until our...disagreement. Fate appears to have a sense of humour.”
“Yeah, but it’s a bit of a shitty one.” Katla grumbled. “I still wish I could take those words back I said to you.”
“And I to you.” Kabu replied, raising his other hand when she opened her mouth. “No, I will not have you apologising again. Both of us said things in the heat of the moment that were uncalled for, and we both regret them. Now it’s time for us to move on, and see where this path will take us.”
The trainer closed her mouth, and despite feeling a little ruffled by his words, she nodded.
“True enough.” She glanced down to their hands, still curled around one another’s. It felt nice, and it seemed to act as a grounding point as everything began to sink in. Turned out, he liked her as much as she liked him. And they were kinda of sort of dating now.
And I thought coming face to face with a legendary Pokemon was gonna be the most unbelievable part of my life! She thought wryly to herself.
“You will be challenging Gordie soon, I presume?” Kabu asked, bringing her mind back to the present.
“Yeah yeah, I just gotta do a bit more training and suss out who I want to take into the match with me.” She nodded. “You gonna watch the match?”
“Of course.” Kabu smiled. “I wouldn’t want to miss it. Luckily the chairman is very particular about other matches not clashing with more high profile ones. Which means I will have the good fortune to watch this one live, if no emergency demands my attention elsewhere.”
Katla blinked, momentarily dumbfounded.
“Uh, you’re, you’re gonna be in the crowd?” She stuttered, feeling her face burn with a blush. “W-Wow, talk about pressure!”
“You’ve coped admirably with the pressure of the crowd so far. You will have no trouble.” The gym leader assured her, placing his other hand on top of hers. “Immerse yourself within the battle, as you have before, and you will forget my presence entirely.”
“I don’t know, Kabu, you’re a very unforgettable person.” Katla was surprised and delighted to see the older man’s face flush pink, and he glanced away shyly.
“You are very kind,” he said softly.
“I’m telling the truth. I mean...” Katla tugged at her hoodie, showing the fire type leader’s symbol emblazoned on its breast. “When that’s the first thing you’re greeted with in Motostoke, it kinda burns it into your mind.” A weak grin. “No pun intended.”
“Were your feelings toward me the reason you chose that particular hoodie?” Kabu asked.
“A little, but if I’m honest, I liked the colours more.” Katla admitted. “Always been a fan of black and red colours. Just...serendipity that your logo happened to be on it too.” A small smile. “A happy coincidence.”
“Indeed.” Kabu leaned back, the hand on top of hers retreating. “I apologise, Katla. I don’t mean to distract you from your training any more than I have to.”
“No, it’s okay, I like spending time with you,” she said, feeling her face heat up again. “And we needed this chat. But I do need to get back to it at some point...”
“Of course.” Kabu smiled, and he squeezed her hand before reluctantly pulling his hand away. “Perhaps best we part now, then.”
“I suppose.” Her smile was lopsided, as was her shrug. “Thank you for..all of this, Kabu. And paying for it too.”
“It was my pleasure.” His smile was so warm and genuine, Katla felt her heart do a little somersault in her chest. “I should thank you for...giving me a chance, after everything I’d said.”
“Hey! Thought we weren’t apologising any more!” She raised an eyebrow at him, briefly forgetting who she was speaking to. “It’s in the past now. We’ve made up, and we’re, well, dating now, I guess? Anyway - you’re forgiven, stop saying sorry. And let me pay my share of anything next time.”
He didn’t appear to be offended - indeed, his laugh thrilled her right down to her toes.
“Fair point! You have me there.” His eyes seemed to gleam with mirth. “You are every bit as fiery as in your battles.”
“Oy, flatterer.”
“It’s not flattery if it’s truth.” Kabu replied, and she swore he was trying to stop from smirking.
“Uh huh.” Her eyebrow arched at him again, slowly sliding back down her face as he released Sizzlipede from its ball again, the little Pokemon clambering up his shoulder to resume its place around his neck.
“I wish you the best for your upcoming Gym Challenge, Katla,” he said, pulling his bench coat up over his shoulders. “I look forward to your match.”
“Thanks, Kabu.” Katla smiled, gathering her coat together as well. “I’ll do my best. Take care of yourself too, yeah?”
“I will. Farewell.” And with a small nod and smile, the Ever-Burning Man of Fire disappeared out of the cafe.
---
Hop: Yo, Kat! How’d go?
Katla: Pretty damn good! You were right Hop, I shouldn’t have worried.
Hop: What’d I tell you!
Hop: Soooo?
Katla: If I tell you, you gotta swear to tell no-one. I’m serious, don’t blab about this, or I’m gonna get into so much trouble.
Hop: I won’t even tell Lee, promise. Cross my heart.
Continuation to this, as my mind chewed it over a couple of days ago.
Katla stared glumly into the steaming waters of Circhester’s hot springs. It had been a week since her argument with Kabu in Hammerlocke, and it was still weighing on her mind and heart.
She’d managed to push thoughts of the gym leader aside during her training for Gordie’s challenge, but Kabu always returned to her mind in the quiet moments, like now. She’d not left his company pleasantly - she’d not even said goodbye, with how bitter and angry she’d been at his words and assumptions.
The bitterness had boiled down into guilt as she’d considered his words, playing them over and over in her mind. Kabu had only been trying to help, trying not to let her potential slip through her fingers. That he admired and regarded her enough to tell her that was...a lot, honestly. Yet she’d pushed him away, and with little option for recourse. She wanted to apologise to him, but she wasn’t even sure he’d want to see her again - that, she had no other way to contact him. The thought that he might not even watch her upcoming match due to this hurt enough to prick tears in her eyes.
In truth, it was more than just that.
She was so absorbed in her internal dialogue that she didn’t notice the figure that came to stand beside her. It was only when they spoke did she snap back to reality:
“Katla?”
The trainer blinked widely, turning quickly to see Kabu, bundled up in a large black bench coat, with a strange segmented scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. Whilst his expression was a careful neutral, his silver eyes were not - they were anxious, strangely fragile, like glass.
“K...Kabu?” Katla croaked out, her voice thick from lack of use.
“I apologise for disturbing you.” Kabu spoke softly, yet quickly. “I’m aware you probably don’t wish to see me again, but please, at least do me one favour.”
He handed her an envelope, her name written in his scrawly handwriting. “Read this letter.” He paused for a moment, and forced a sad smile across his lips. “Best of luck for your upcoming Challenge, Katla.”
With that, he began to walk away. Katla opened her mouth to call for him to wait, but his name got caught in her throat, and she could only watch him melt into a crowd of people.
She glanced down at the envelope in her hands, turning it over in her hands before she decided there were better places to read it.
---
Sequestered in her much warmer hotel room, Katla broke the weak glue seal and pulled out the letter. It was neatly folded, and though Kabu’s handwriting reminded her of a doctor’s, it was much more legible. And pristine, without a crossing-out to be seen - she wondered how many drafts preceded this one.
Katla,
I do not know if you will read this letter after our disagreement in Hammerlocke, but I write in the hope you will.
I’m sorry for insinuating that the reason why you’d not attained Championship status in the other Leagues was because you were deliberately holding yourself back. It was incredibly thoughtless of me, especially since you had confessed that you had given up your title due to the stresses it had imposed upon you. I have never known these stresses, and though I can extrapolate from the duties Leon undertakes, I can never truly know. Thus to assume I know what you felt is at best foolish, and at worst, offensive. I ask for your forgiveness.
I do not know the challenges of other regional Leagues - any knowledge I had of Hoenn’s League is woefully out of date now - and thus to assume that you lost to them because you sabotaged your own match is not only an an insult to you, but an insult to your opponents too. I ask forgiveness for this transgression too.
Yet my views on your potential are unchanged. I truly believe you could defeat Leon. I am certain that you will make it to the Finals. I can see the spark in your eyes, the fire that burns when you’re in the midst of a battle. I was honoured to experience it first-hand. Your love for your Pokemon binds you together and makes you strong.
Katla, it is difficult for me to articulate my feelings regarding you, but I feel I must try. I was curious about you from the very moment you appeared on the roster. All the gym leaders were - it is rare indeed that Leon endorses anyone, especially two challengers at once. My curiosity deepened over the course of your Gym Challenge, and deepened into admiration after our own battle. Whilst I am thankful that they are all recorded for posterity, I will not forget the experience for a long, long time.
I have found myself caring for you. I want only for you to succeed, and for you to get up from the falls you will no doubt experience. I said my foolish words not out of a place of unkindness. That does not excuse their pain and hurtfulness, but I want to assure you that my deeper feelings are unchanged.
No matter what you may think of me now, and how justified you will be for thinking it, I will continue to support you. It will hurt to know that I have caused this rift between us through my own fault, but that is my burden to bear. I only hope it has not burdened you as well.
I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, and I look forward to seeing your future gym matches. I will leave my number at the bottom of this letter in case you need to contact me for any reason. No matter what has happened between us, I will help you in any way I can.
Kind regards,
Kabu
Katla read his letter several times, making sure she didn’t miss a single word. The guilt curled tighter around her heart - he’d made a good point with his hypothesis. She’d been ruminating on it for a while and wondering whether it was true. She’d only been eleven when the mantle of Champion had fallen heavy on her shoulders, and Katla couldn’t completely dismiss that the bad experience still cast a long shadow. But she was twenty six now; older, and hopefully wiser. Wasn’t it worth trying again? She cast her mind back to the Elite 4 challenges she’d failed at - she’d bailed out straight afterwards, and she wondered if she would have dug her heels in and kept going, if not afraid of the thought of actually succeeding.
Yet Kabu was apologising, thinking it was him who had caused the hurt, when it was her, lashing out in pain and guilt and shame as he exposed the festering wound to daylight. Just as effortlessly as he had done in the Wild Area, asking her when she was going to tell Hop her secret. And she’d prickled much the same way, only this time she’d driven off one of the kindest men she knew. And it hurt more seeing that he still cared for her, still wished the best for her, was still going to watch her matches and put himself at the end of the line in case she needed anything.
A part of her wished he’d just slammed the door in her face - that would have been kinder than this.
Tears burned at her eyes, but she held back her sob. She wanted to find Kabu and make it right, somehow. The numerals stood out starkly on the paper, an imposing invitation that Katla felt too nervous to use. In honesty, she felt so emotionally tied up, she had no idea what to do.
At that moment, her phone buzzed, and she took a look. It was Hop, asking how she was doing, as he was having to get used to the snowy conditions his Pokemon now found themselves in.
Katla: I've been better. Hey Hop, I dunno if this is the right time, but do you have time to talk?
It only took a couple of seconds passed after her message before a video call request came through. Hop's cheeks were reddened against the cold, his bright gold eyes full of concern.
“Katla, mate. What’s up?” He said, brows furrowing when he got sight of her.
Katla sighed, pulling a smile and not hiding the tears blurring her vision.
“A couple of things. You know me and Kabu had a fight in Hammerlocke, yeah?”
“What’s happened?” Hop asked, an edge to his voice that she’d never heard before.
“Nothing, nothing bad. He gave me a letter, a-and I just wondered if I could talk things through with you.”
“Nah, I’m gonna do better than that.” Hop shook his head. “What room are you staying in, 448? I’ll be right there, don’t go anywhere.”
She could barely take in a breath to protest before the call ended, and she sighed. Not what I had in mind, but I’ll take it.
It wasn’t long before he knocked on the door, and would have bounded in if he wasn’t holding two cups with steaming hot liquid.
“I got you a pick-me-up.” Hop grinned. “You might not be freezing, but I think you’d appreciate a cuppa.”
“Shit Hop, you didn’t need to.” Katla took the proffered cup carefully, cradling its heat in her hands. “How much do I owe you for this?”
“You owe me an explanation of what the hell’s going on with you, mate.” Hop replied, taking a chair and sitting on it backwards next to her. “Where’s that letter Kabu gave you?”
Katla took a deep breath, her heart beginning to pound. Here we go.
“It’s here, but I need to give you context for it to all make sense,” she began. “That means I’ve got to tell you some things...some things I probably should have told you earlier.”
And so Katla spilled the beans, revealing her past experiences as a Pokemon trainer, as well as the fact she’d become Hoenn’s Champion for a brief period of time, stepping down when the stress became too much for her. She elaborated on the argument she’d had with Kabu, the whats and whys and how they’d parted company unhappily.
She paused, letting Hop take this all in, and waited nervously for his response, trying to resist the urge to fiddle with the cup of boiling liquid in her hands.
“That...That makes so much more sense now.” Hop said, leaning back. “Why Lee endorsed you, why I just can’t seem to beat you. Why you always get so mad when I say I’m gonna be the next Champion.” He frowned. “Hey, wait a minute. I’ve never seen it mentioned anywhere that you were Hoenn’s Champion.”
“It’s not something I like to advertise.” Katla explained. “Also news of my ‘ascension’ was kinda pushed aside by the legendary Pokemon shit that was going on at the same time. Kyogre awakening and attempting to flood the entire world was a much bigger deal than an eleven year old becoming Champion. Even if I was involved in that too.”
“I dunno, it seems a pretty big deal to me.” He trained his eyes on her. “So you don’t tell anyone about it?”
“No-one. Put it this way, Hop; you and Kabu are the only people outside my family in Galar that know I was once Champion, and I wanna keep it that way.“
“Were you...ever gonna tell me?”
Katla cringed, hanging her head.
“If I could have helped it? No.” She admitted. “You’re a good kid, Hop. I didn’t want to crush your spirit - you want your rival to be on the same level, not to learn that they were a Champion once.” She sighed. “I was going to tell you after you came back that battle you had with Bede in the Wild Area...” She didn’t need to look at the younger trainer to know he was shifting uncomfortably. “But you looked and acted so broken I...I couldn’t.” She shook her head, and a snarl curled her lips. “I could have ripped that sucker a new one, treating you like that. He got his comeuppance in the end, but still...”
Katla risked a glance at Hop, and saw he was still looking at her, his face earnest and listening intently.
“I’m sorry for not telling you sooner, Hop. I’m sorry to have led you on. If you wanna stop being my friend and just walk out of here, then that’s perfectly fine. I wouldn’t blame you in the slightest.”
Hop folded his arms over the back of the chair, resting his chin on them.
“Whilst it’d been nice to know my rival was a Champ in another region, I don’t blame you for keeping it secret. The media would never leave you alone if they found out. Speaking of which,” he stuck out a hand, dropping it on Katla’s shoulder. “I’m not leaving you, mate. You asked me here for help, and I’m not gonna leave until I’ve helped you.”
Katla managed a smile, even as her heart swelled and eyes burned.
“Shit. Thanks, Hop. You’re a good friend, more than I deserve.”
“Aw, don’t say that.” He playfully punched her arm. “We’re buddies. That’s all that matters. Now, gimme that letter.”
He all but snatched it off her, yet he took his time reading it, brows furrowed in concentration.
“Kabu uses a lot of big words, doesn’t he?” Hop commented. “Bet he’s good at essays.”
Katla arched her eyebrow at him, but said nothing, giving the younger trainer time to formulate his opinion.
”Wow...” Hop finally said. “He’s got it bad for you, hasn’t he?”
The older trainer felt her face begin to burn up.
“You...you think so?”
Hop gave her a look that was halfway between disbelieving and annoyed.
“Seriously? You read this and didn’t pick up on the fact he might be into you?”
“Well, I can tell he cares about me, that’s clear enough!” Katla retorted. “But more than that?” She glanced away. “I...I didn’t think it’d be a thing. I mean, he’s a Gym leader, I’m just a Challenger. Not to mention he’s like...fifty odd.”
“Sure.” Hop nodded. “But you like him back, don’t you? I mean, you’ve been crushing on him since we saw him in in Galar Mine Two.”
“I do.” Katla stared pensively at her drink. “He looks so cold and closed off, but he’s not. He’s warm and gentle and kind, and...I feel awful that I hurt him with our fight. And he’s blaming himself for everything, when he’s got nothing to be sorry for!”
Hop glanced back to the letter and then back at her.
“Wait. When you say he’s got nothing to be sorry for, does that mean...” He spoke slowly. “Does that mean you were throwing those matches...?”
“No!” Katla snapped, then cringed, shaking her head. “No, I...I don’t know. Maybe. I didn’t deliberately sabotage myself, but never tried again after I lost; I just walked away and never came back. Maybe I was shying away from it. I dunno.” She sighed. “I can’t be certain I was at my peak in those fights, or that I was doing my all to win, if I’m honest. So, yeah, it was possible the thought of becoming Champion again was scaring me off. Kabu’s been the first person to really challenge me on it, and as you can tell,” she gestured to the letter, “I took it badly. It looks like he’s backpedalling, when he might actually be right about it.”
“Then I think you should tell him that.” Hop said. Katla’s heart forgot its next beat.
“W...What?”
“You should tell Kabu that he doesn’t need to apologise.” Hop said, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. “He sent you this letter as a way to smooth things over with you, right? Well, now you gotta smooth things over with him. And the only way to do that is to talk to him. It shouldn’t be too hard - you got his number!” He thrust the letter at her. “Text him or give him a call, and talk it out. You’ll both feel so much better afterwards.” He smiled brightly at her. “Then you can stop worrying about Kabu, and go back to focusing on beating Gordie!”
She couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You make it sound so simple when you put it that way, Hop.”
“It looks simple to me!” He replied, before he leaned over, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Kat, listen. From what I know about you, and what I’ve seen in that letter, I think you’ll be fine. I think you both feel the same towards each other, actually. If you go talk to him, I bet my badges only good things’ll come from it.”
“Bet your badges, eh?” Katla arched an eyebrow. “Those are some confident words, there.”
“‘Cos I am.” Hop grinned toothily. “Honestly, mate, you’ll be fine. You’ll feel tons better talking it through with him anyway.”
He pulled away, and his face then became serious.
“Kat...you’re gonna give your all in the Semifinals, right?” He asked. “It won’t be right if you’re not at your best. If I win, I want it to be because I was better, not ‘cos you don’t want to face Lee just in case you win.”
“Yes.” Katla made sure he could see the sincerity in her blue eyes. “I’m going to give you the match you deserve, Hop. I’ve never held back in any of my matches against you, and I won’t start to. I promise.”
“Good.” He nodded, looking content.
“You are assuming that I’ll actually get to the Semifinals, though. There’s three Gym Leaders to get through before then, and any of them could halt me in my tracks.” She pointed out.
“That’s what you said about Kabu, and look what happened there.” Hop grinned. “Speaking of which, you should clear the air with him before you go face Gordie, or you’re gonna be too distracted to beat him. And I don’t want my rival falling too far behind!”
“Oh come off it!” She swatted at him. “I’ll...I’ll think about it. About texting him, I mean. I just...”
“Hey,” Hop leaned over again, putting an arm around her this time. “He wouldn’t have given you his number if he didn’t want you to use it. Just...be you. You’ll be fine.”
“I guess.” Katla smiled. “Thanks, Hop. I really mean it - you’ve been...more than I deserve, honestly.”
“Aw come on, we’re friends!” He grinned, a slight blush on his cheeks. “It’s what friends do. I know you’d do the same for me. Right?”
“Yeah, of course.” She nodded. “But I might beat up the person who upset you too.”
Hop barked out a laugh.
“What, really?”
“I’m serious! The only thing that saved Bede from an ass-whooping was witnesses.” Katla grinned. “Still might punch him in the face when I see him again.”
Hop chuckled bashfully, his blush slightly brighter.
“Hehe, thanks Kat.”
“You’re welcome, Hop. Least I can do.”
---
Katla: Hey Kabu, it’s Katla. Do you have some time to talk?
Kabu: Yes. I have as much time as you need.
Katla: I was thinking maybe we could meet up to talk, if you’re still in Circhester?
Kabu: I am. There is cafe on the east side of the city, towards Route Nine, that is known for being discreet. We will be able to meet there in privacy.
Katla: That sounds perfect. What time? I have nothing going on so any time today is good for me.
Kabu: Fortunately I have that luxury too. If I send you the location, we could meet in a couple of minutes. Is this okay?
(Thought I’d go back in time a bit, and write Katla’s first meeting with a certain Kahuna. )
Well, this is going to prove problematic. Katla thought to herself, staring up at the tall, imposing wall that behind which was Po Town - the hideout for Team Skull, and where they’d taken a Pokemon that didn’t belong to them.
She paced back a bit, trying to get a sense of its size. It was certainly a formidable construction, and excessive enough that it looked to be keeping its denizens in rather than keeping intruders out. Looks like something those weird Aether Foundation people would build... Katla would have no hope of climbing its sheer, smooth walls, even if she could see footholds.
However, Flying Pokemon could still cross it - it would be an effort for them to get the trainer up and over the wall, but it wasn’t impossible. Two working together should do it, and with any luck she could walk out the front gate scot free. She might have to beat every grunt’s head in to do it, but...
Just as Katla pulled a Pokeball from her belt, she heard someone clear their throat behind her.
“Trying to get into Po Town, kiddo?”
She turned at the gruff voice to see a dour man with short grey hair and dark circles around his red eyes standing a couple of paces away. He was tall, even in a slouch, eyeing her with an almost bored expression. Katla noted the police shields on the arms of his jacket, the Z ring around his wrist and the dark Z crystal-like object hanging from his neck, shining in the dull light. He’s no ordinary trainer. Another Captain? Or is he the Kahuna? Better not risk it either way.
“Yeah, I am.” Katla nodded. “Team Skull stole a Pokemon from one of the orphans at Aether House-”
“And you’re getting it back.” The man finished for her, shoving his hands in his pockets, one thick black eyebrow slowly sliding upwards.
“That’s the short of it, yeah,” she said, watching the man carefully. There was something about him that gave her pause - a dark shape moving under the water.
He snorted, glancing over to the wall.
“Brave. And stupid. You sure you’ve thought it through, kiddo? I don’t want to be the one picking up the pieces after Team Skull chews you up and spits you back out again.”
She bristled, almost biting out ‘I’m twenty four, jackass’, but held her tongue. Something to his tone made her listen quietly - she’d heard enough arrogant boasts to know that this wasn’t one.
“If you go into Po Town, you either live as Team Skull, or fight them. All of them.” He turned his gaze back to her, and it was intense. “You really think you’re ready for that?”
Katla looked back to the wall. There was no telling what was behind it, how many grunts were lurking, or even if their infamous leader Guzma was present. It was possible she was trying to get into a Beedrill’s nest. And yet...
“Not the first time I’ve gone breaking into a place I shouldn’t, and I came back alive,” she said, returning her gaze to him. “Dare say I can pull that trick again.”
“Hmph.” The man grunted, unamused. “We’ll see. Give me your passport.” He rolled his eyes when the trainer bristled. “I’ll have them let you in, but I need to know where I’m sending your remains if you don’t make it.”
Katla arched an eyebrow, but managed to keep the retort firmly in her mouth as she handed the document over. He looked over it with a bored expression, until a smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.
“Hoenn and Galarian, huh? Which halves go where?” He asked, handing it back over.
“Both of them go to Hoenn.” Katla retorted, feeling her hackles prickle. “I was born Galarian, but my parents live in Hoenn.”
The man’s smirk faded, replaced by apathy once again.
“Get all over the place, don’t you?” He paused for a moment, and Katla found herself locked in place by his arresting red eyes. “I’ve got my own reasons, for doing what I do,” he said, turning away and ambling towards the gate. He glanced over his shoulder when he noticed she wasn’t following. “You coming or not?”
She jogged over to join him, watching as he leaned his head against what had to be a peephole, murmuring to the guard on the other side. Her eyes lowered to the police shields on his sleeves. It did make sense that a police officer would have a rapport with Team Skull, especially one stationed so close to their hideout.
But something wasn’t adding up. Katla hadn’t been on her Pokemon journey for thirteen years without learning to get a feel for others, and she could sense that this man, whoever he was, was not someone to tangle with. He’s either got to be the Kahuna, or their strongest captain. They wouldn’t bargain with someone who couldn’t kick their ass. Katla thought to herself. Yet he doesn’t want to bother with it. Hmm. I best keep out of his way if I can.
The man finally stepped away from the door as it opened, fixing his red gaze on her.
“There. Good luck, and try not to die.”.
“Thank you.” Katla bowed her head respectfully. “I’ll try not to.”
He grunted something she didn’t hear, but her focus was already shifting, the Pokeballs on her belt almost shuddering with anticipation. Alright, here we go, She thought, striding into Po Town.
---
“I’ve got you, little one, it’s okay.” Katla soothed the shivering Lillipup in her arms as the door to Po Town swung shut behind her.
The officer hadn’t been facetious - there’d been a lot of Team Skull goons in Po Town, and they’d not taken kindly to her intrusion. She had not taken kindly to them trying to stop her.
She had been half expecting Guzma to be around, but it’d still been a surprise when the Team Skull leader had cornered her to get revenge for his crew. His Golisopod was quite the beast, but Katla’s Magneton managed to bring it down with their shocking Z move, forcing the leader to spit out the Lillipup’s’ location and go crawling back into the dark.
In finding the Pokemon, also Katla found a huge stash of Buginium Z crystals hidden behind some broken furniture. Huh. Guess he’s hoarding them so no-one else can use them. I’m sure he won’t notice a couple missing.
Lillipup whined, burying itself into the trainer’s hoodie as the rain started up again.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you back to your partner, just hold on.” Katla traced her hand over her Pokeballs, plucking a Great Ball free and tossing it out. A large Stoutland appeared from it, and the canine uttered a soft whine as she saw one of her kin in her trainer’s arms, ears drooping.
“Team Skull stole this little one away from the kids at Aether House. Do you mind carrying us there?” Katla spoke, petting the Big-Hearted Pokemon.
“Stout.” Stoutland replied, crouching down to let her trainer climb onto her shaggy back. As she raised back up to standing, she sniffed the air, her long ears pricked up. “Rrroof.” Someone is here.
Katla glanced around. It was already dark with the rain, and the night closing in didn’t help, but there didn’t seem to be anyone obviously hanging around. That said, she trusted her partner’s sensitive nose. Don’t think it’d be wise to get into another fight right now.
“Hmm. Probably some grunt sneaking around. Let’s get out of here before they start anything more,” she said, tucking the Lillipup into her hoodie, before she lowered her body into the dog’s back, taking hold of a clump of her thick fur. “Let’s go, girl!”
Stoutland barked her agreement, before setting off at a gallop down the hill, splashing through the mud. Had Katla stopped to follow her companion’s keen nose, she would have been led to the Po Town PC.
(This plotbunny has been bugging me for ages, so I’m going to finally write it out! It’s an AU where...you’ll find out!)
Orcs flowed unending from the Dark Portal, a writhing river of flesh and steel that looked for all the world like a scene from the First or Second War, if not for the baleful red magic that swirled between the stone pillars instead of a sickly green.
Khadgar kept his gaze and senses firmly fixed on the portal, watching and waiting. He knew that the only one way to stop this invasion was to sever the portal link from the other side - the only problem was that it involved getting past the waves of invaders into the portal. And currently the torrent was enough to make any assault impossible.
So the mage stood and waited, watching the orcs and using his magical senses to detect the slightest waive or change in the magical energies that would grant them the opening they needed.
“You’re not trying to destroy the Dark Portal by will alone, are you?” Maraad’s amused voice cut through the archmage’s thoughts. He spared the draenei the merest glance from the corner of his eye.
“I tried, but all it gave me was a headache.” Khadgar replied. “Besides, I’d prefer not to deepen this crater if I can. We need to wait for an opening. I will let you know when there is one. For now, allow your champions to clear up any of this...Iron Horde’s stragglers. We cannot afford them to escape our containment.”
Maraad made an affirmative grunt.
“Very well, Khadgar. But you don’t have to watch all of the time. Give yourself a break, or you won’t be able to see the opportunity when it comes.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I will be fine.” As soon as he said that, however, the vindicator’s gauntlet came down on his shoulder, and despite the protective mantle, Khadgar could feel Maraad’s grip and the unspoken words behind it. He sighed. “All right, all right. I suppose I could do with a change of scenery.”
He glanced over to see the corner of Maraad’s mouth quirk upwards in a smirk, before he clapped Khadgar on the shoulder and left, striding away to speak to an Alliance champion.
At that moment, the archmage caught the sound of Thrall speaking to a Horde champion, and the sound of their approach, and he smiled.
“It is good of you to come, champion,” he said. “Thrall has spoken highly of your exploits, and I am more than glad that you can lend your strength in storming the Dark Portal.”
He turned around to face the champion.
And looked up.
Towering before the archmage was a giant troll woman, with dark blue skin with darker scale-like blotches under her eyes, blazing red hair pulled up into a mohawk with four braids hanging down over her breasts, piercing glowing blue eyes and tusks that were longer than the mage had expected them to be. By her side was an equally big ravasaur, red scaled with teal stripes and feathers of dark navy blue, watching him steadily.
Khadgar knew trolls were one of the larger races on Azeroth, but the one standing before him was enormous; for a tall man, he barely came up to the middle of her chest. Which was awkward, to say the least.
More awkward was that the sight of her had utterly robbed the archmage of his train of thought - frankly, of any words at all - and he was very aware he was just staring at the troll now with his mouth open. As first impressions went, it wasn’t great.
The troll tilted her head slightly, her glowing eyes (that reminded him of the kal’dorei) still boring into him, and she seemed to be weighing up her words.
“You be da one dat called me here?” She asked, her Zandali accent thick and rich around the Common words, as if they were foreign to her.
Thankfully her voice reminded the wizard how to speak himself.
“Oh, yes! Y-Yes, I did call you here. A-At Thrall - sorry, I mean Go’el’s - recommendation.” Khadgar stuttered, feeling his face start to burn. “I-I apologize, you’ve quite caught me off guard. I am familiar with trolls, but I-I don’t think I’ve ever seen your kind before.”
The troll’s face twitched, and Khadgar could have sworn it had softened somewhat.
“I be one of da Zandalari.” She replied. “It be...a long story.” The mage blinked, his eyes widening.
“You’re a Zandalari?” He breathed, his eyes doing a quick sweep on her frame. “Light. I am truly grateful you are one of the ones on our side.” He glanced down to the ravasaur. “And your companion too.”
Khadgar cursed suddenly as a realization hit him.
“Ah! I’m so sorry, I’ve not asked for your name. Or your friend’s either,” he said, smiling weakly and hoping she would forgive him.
A smile grew around the Zandalari’s own tusks, and Khadgar’s heart breathed a sigh of relief.
“My name be Draggka. Dis here be Spike.” The ravasaur made a grunting noise that sounded friendly - friendly for something with many sharp teeth and talons, anyway.
“A pleasure to meet the both of you.” The mage bowed. “I, I will let you know when we are ready to make our offensive. For now I, I think Go’el has some tasks for you regarding some iron Horde invaders. Hopefully they’ll serve as a warm-up for things to come.”
Draggka gave a nod.
“I will be here when you be needing me,” she said, bowing her head respectfully before moving away with her ravasaur.
As he watched her, Khadgar felt he could take a breath in, and ran his hand through his hair, finally realising that he was flustered. That and his heart was beating a quick two-step in his chest. And that he was still staring at her as she went over to Thra- Go’el and struck up a conversation with him.
The mage tore his eyes away, swallowing hard. What’s wrong with me? A beautiful, formidable woman shouldn’t put me about like this so much. It feels I just got my first crush-
His eyes widened.
Oh. Oh no.
“Is everything all right, Khadgar?” A deep, familiar voice sounded out behind him. “You look like someone has ruffled your feathers.” Maraad grinned properly now, and Khadgar wanted to just shrivel up into his robes.
“I’m fine.” He replied, desperately trying to will his tell-tale blush off his face. “I was just...taken off guard. I didn’t expect a Zandalari to be joining us. Not that I would refuse her help, of course...” He stole a glance over to the hunter as she appeared to be speaking to her ravasaur, petting his feathery mane as the beast seemed to chirrup back at her like an affectionate cat. Khadgar’s heart warmed to see it, and his glance became a bit more than that.
“I see.” The grin in the draenei’s voice made the mage realize what he was doing, and he quickly snapped his gaze back to the vindicator. “Whilst you should take a rest from staring at the Portal, don’t allow yourself to become distracted by other things, Archmage.”
He was mercifully called away before he could further rub it in, but Khadgar groaned regardless, covering his face with his hands.
Light damn it, this is going to be a very long campaign.
