I sit in the stands, ignoring all the flying rubble and the shock waves of explosions as I read over copies of the contracts. Raihan runs the most successful Gym in the league besides the Champion himself and the least successful gym belonging to Piers. I twirl my pen in my hand, the one I've been using to underline and circle the similarities and differences. Not just that but all the unjust legal ties the Chairman roped them in with as well as the loopholes he's failed to cover.

All in all the contract is so messy, I can't believe this has made it through lawyers, Miss Oleana, and The Chairman himself without being altered further than it might already be. But then again, Galar is new to the way of Pokémon entertainment. They have no idea what conditions must be met, what laws exist and what laws don't, let alone all the loopholes that exist outside a contract. Lucky for the Pokémon League of Galar I do, I've been in the business since I was ten. I was a seasoned Pokémon star who knew every trick in the book, whether it's the book of shady managers and companies or the cruel and destructive one of competing stars.

I only glance up from the contracts when the air becomes silent, only to see Leon striking a pose as his challenger falls to his knees. I roll my eyes, Long live the king. I fold back my flipped pages and tuck the contracts away in my leather folder, standing from my seat I wedge the folder under my arm and make my way to the locker room.

People chatter in the halls about the battle, saying this and that about it. What was good, what could have been better, and comparing it to Leon's previous battles. Until I hear a comment that has me pausing, a snide comment that all Leon could ever do is battle. Which is then proceeded by a theory how if Leon is finally defeated he'd be nothing but a wash out. Despite only knowing Leon for a little while, I've heard stories from Nessa and in the past few weeks from Raihan as well. Leon works his ass off, Pokémon battling is his life, to him it makes perfect sense to throw his all into it and the pressure that Chairman Rose sets upon him only pushes him to surrender more into it. Leaving him nothing, not even himself.

I grind my teeth down and look at the man, I reach into my bag and pull out Houndoom. With a click of his pokéball Houndoom is zapped out. "Doom," I greet softly, the Pokémon nudges his body against mine affectionately. "Do me a favor and show that man his place. Once you've had your fun meet me back at the locker room," I instruct in a soft whisper. The Dark Pokémon, grins, before prowling over to the man as I continue my walk to the locker room.

I don't knock before entering, and it bites me in the ass when I find Leon standing there in nothing but a towel. I summon as much control as I can muster to keep a straight face, I send Leon a smile and sit down on the bench. "What—What are you doing in here?" He sputters, "Well originally to pick you up, but instead I think there's something we need to talk about." I sigh. Leon's flushed expression lessens at my tone, "Tell me Leon, what do you think of the Chairman?" I question. Leon's visible muscles stiffen and his eyes cast to another part of the locker room. "I think he's a very good man and he has taken care of me ever since I became champion so young," Leon answers, but it's hollow, I know because I've used the same tone. A tone only someone who has to perform well enough fool even the toughest of judges .

I nod and curl my fingers around my leather folder, "Okay, now what do you really think of him? I know what he is Leon, I've known men like him, hell I'm related to one." I laugh dryly. "I just want to know what you really think of him before I put my plan in motion." I whisper, "You have a plan? For Chairman Rose?" Leon whispers harshly, lurching forward and invading my bubble. A fresh wave of Leon's shampoo hits me like a truck and my carefully crafted mask almost breaks.

"Yes, and it's a good one. There's more than a few gym leaders in on it Leon and I would like you to be too." I whisper, "You do realize taking out the Chairman is a suicide mission right?" He grunts leaning away from me. "For you maybe, for the gym leaders, but not me. I know what I'm dealing with, I've spent years running from people like him and ever since I came to Galar I realized how tired I am. How tired I am of running from people who will be wherever I go, Whether it's in Kalos, the Jungle, or across the sea in Galar." I reason, my hands rubbing against each other as I confess things I can't even confess to myself.

"And I know about you Leon, not only have I heard, but I've witnessed the exhaustion you undergo to appease a king whose crown is studded with jewels of every soul he's snatched to make his own." I whisper gently, taking his hands in mine. "I know this seems a little personal and we barely know each other but I want you to walk with me, I want you to help me see this through. Not for the sake of my vendetta, but for the sake of the gym leaders, for your own sake. Because my plans aren't that selfish, all I want to do is save people from the hurt I know all too well. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself even if I have to take it into my own hands." I pleaded, squeezing his hands.

Leon licks his lips, his golden eyes shaded over as he consumes himself in his thoughts. "You can think it over if you want, all I ask is if you decline you don't say a word. No harm will come to you or your Pokémon, that isn't what this is about." I whisper, slipping my hands from his, before I can get out of reach his large hands swallow around me and pull me back. "That won't be necessary, I'm with you." Leon smiles, his eyes shine and sparkle like the gold of a true champion and my mask finally breaks. My cheeks flush with heat and he notices. "And here I thought you walking in on me half naked didn't do it for you." He chuckles, one hand releases mine and he pushes back a loose strand of hair.

Before I could speak there's a loud whine and scratching sound against the locker room door. My eyes go wide and I shoot up to open the door. My shock furthers as Houndoom trots inside the room ripped fabric hanging from his mouth, Houndoom then drops the fabric in Leon's lap before sitting in front of his tongue hanging out and tail wagging. Leon picks it up and holds it up, the piece of fabric now identified as the back part of jeans. A smirk itches itself onto my lips, Leon however lifts his eyebrow at my expression. "Do I want to know?" He questions, "Someone didn't know their place, as adviser to the king of the castle I exercised my rights and put him in his place. After all, only a fool would disrespect a king in his own castle." I shrug cryptically.

Leon lets out a booming laugh, "I think Raihan has been filling your head with too many Galar legends and history," He chuckles. "I wouldn't say that, it's one of the main reasons I was so drawn to Galar." I smile, "Now I'll leave you to get dressed, Come on Doom." I chirp holding the locker room door open. Doom jumps up and skips his way out the door before being followed by myself.  

Word Count: 1.3K