14. the gigantic pokemon

[badass_tiger]

Comm: fallintofallfestival
Prompt: Any Fandom | Any Characters/Pairings | What is this?
Word Count: 600
Author/Team: badass_tiger
Title: the gigantic pokemon
Fandom/Original: Pokemon (Leon & Gloria)
Rating: Gen
Triggers: NA
Summary: Gloria gives Eternatus to Leon.
ConCrit: Y

Notes: hang on a second, this isn't leon/raihan ... this isn't even a shipfic! what's going on??

Gloria visited Wyndon almost every other week, sometimes with Hop, far more often by herself when Hop became busy with his studies. Whenever the Champion was in town, she would fight her way up the ranks in the Battle Tower. Her battle style was unrefined, with all the clumsy eagerness of a child, and she wasn't unbeatable. But always quick on the uptake, she never lost to the same person twice.

She experimented with her teams far more often than any other Trainer Leon had ever known. Her trusty Inteleon was always by her side, but sometimes Leon wouldn't see the same team members more than twice in as many consecutive matches. As such, he rarely saw the Pokemon he was truly interested in: Eternatus. Today, after a long absence, the Gigantic Pokemon made its appearance once more.

The top of the Battle Tower, having always had a Power Spot and able to allow Trainers to use Dynamax, easily accommodated Eternatus' huge body. Leon was always struck by its immense beauty. Its colours changed as it moved in battle, shimmering between blues, reds, and purples. It was an ethereal, unearthly being. Leon did not begrudge Gloria her ownership of it, but he sometimes wished that he could know how it felt to battle alongside such a powerful Pokemon.

'Alright, I win!' Gloria exclaimed, flashing her signature victory sign. 'That was really close!'

For a moment, Leon was crestfallen, and then he relaxed into a smile. There had been a time when he was afraid of how hollow battles had become, how he never seemed to need to put in the effort anymore. Those days were behind him now, and everything better for it.

'Thanks, Gloria,' he said. 'Keep battling so I can face the Champion again.'

'Wait!' She ran up to him with a Pokeball in her hand. 'I have a favour to ask you.'

Leon stopped and turned to look at her. 'Oh? What can I do for the Champion?'

'I was wondering - if you don't mind -' She held out the Pokeball. He raised an eyebrow.

'What is this?'

'It's Eternatus!' He blinked in surprise and stared at her. 'I always have so much fun battling with Eternatus, but you know what? If he had been in his right mind when you battled him, he would have chosen you. He's always interested whenever I battle against you, and he wants to know what it's like to battle by your side. I brought him today to find out how he really feels, and he told me himself. He wants to go with you.'

'I -' Leon put out his hand, then hesitated. 'Are you sure?'

'What do you think, Eternatus?'

The Pokeball shook in Gloria's hand, and then she dropped it as suddenly as if it had pulled away from her. Leon hastily caught it. The ball emanated with a power that would be overwhelming if it so chose. He could feel it - this Pokeball was only in his hand because its occupant had chosen him.

'He seems pretty sure,' Gloria said happily.

Awed, and humbled to be chosen by a Legendary Pokemon, Leon held the Pokeball to his chest.

'Thanks, Gloria. And thank you, Eternatus. I won't let you down.'

Eternatus seemed satisfied. The force within the Pokeball ebbed and it felt just like any other Pokemon.

'Awesome! Next time I come here, I want to battle against Eternatus,' Gloria said. 'That'll really be the best battle this Tower has ever seen.'

'You've got it. Next time, I'll be a hundred times stronger than you ever imagined.' He held out his hand, and Gloria shook it, grinning excitedly.

It was as much a promise to Eternatus as it was to himself.