Leon and I stand at the entrance of the hall, my arm resting over his. "Entering, the Poké Queen of Kalos, Her majesty Poké Queen (y/n). Escorted by The Galar Champion, Champion Leon." An announcer booms. The hall goes silent, all eyes on us as Leon escorts me deep into the room. I hold my head high and keep my shoulder straight, years upon years of brutal practice being put to use as Leon and I make an entrance into the room.

I feel a seething stare land on my back and my eyes instantly fall on Chairman Rose, who smiles pleasantly, but eyes burning holes into me. I cast my eyes somewhere else, Leon being the quick thinker he is, quickly finds people we know and makes a B-line over to them.

I feel like I can breathe again when I meet Nessa, Raihan, and a few others. "You two made quite the entrance," Raihan smirks, "Casual has never been my thing when attending these events." I smile elegantly. Raihan blinks a couple of times at my expression, "Don't think too hard, she's in Poké Queen mode, there's very little that can break that performance persona." Nessa snorts on the edge of her glass. "Ya look gorgeous by the way," She smiles, "She's stunning!" Sonia butts in with stars in her eyes, "See, told ya there ain't nothin' to worry over." she quips with a smug smile. "I never doubted you, Nessa and thank you Sonia." I chime, tilting my head and giving her a small smile. "I'm never gonna get used to that," Raihan mumbles, as Sonia's eyes sparkle in thrill of getting to see the Poké Queen in action.

I'm pulled away from the three by a gentle tug on my dress, looking down I see a little ghost like boy tucked under my cape and clutching my dress. "Hello sweet one," I smile, "You look very handsome tonight Allister." I continue with a small giggle. The boy whispers a soft thank you before shuffling closer into my dress. "Shit, incomin'." Piers grumbles. "You look wonderful tonight Miss (y/n)." The voice of Chairman Rose pipes up. I smile flawlessly, "Thank you Chairman Rose, I was really shocked to receive an official invitation so this old thing is just something I dusted off." I muse. I place a hand on Allister's shoulder keeping him tucked under my cape and into my side.

"Well for something so downplayed you certainly took the spotlight. I don't think I've talked to a single person who hasn't asked your name since you came in. On the arm of our very own champion no less." He chuckles but there's a sharp edge to the words. "I've never been to a Galar event as prestigious as this, Leon was kind enough to offer to escort me so I wouldn't make a fool of myself. After all the Chairman went through the trouble of inviting me, I wouldn't want to make people doubt his judgment if I made a bad impression." I spoke calmly with a small smile, my words under toning a threat.

"How considerate." He hums before sipping his champagne, "I do hope you meet some of the other guests here tonight, I took the liberty of inviting a few people from all over the world so you wouldn't feel so singled out." He smirks, a chill runs down my spine. Who the fuck could he have possibly dragged into this.

"Well, I must be going. I have to make the rest of the rounds. I encourage you to do the same Leon." The chairman excuses before leaving the circle, "What the fuck was that?" Nessa whispers. "That." I exhaled sharply, "Was a power play." I finish scanning the room carefully. "We have to be on our toes from now on, there's no telling who he dragged into this." I mumble, "We have your back, love, the bastard isn't going to be able to take all of us." Raihan smirks standing tall. "I sure hope so." I whisper, finally turning away from the crowd.

"Come on, I need to make the rounds. It'll be strange if I don't have my date with me." Leon spoke up, motioning his head out to the crowds of people. I give one last smile to Raihan, Piers, Sonia, and Nessa before going along with Leon. Allister chooses to keep himself tucked under me as Leon guides us around the hall greeting different guests. Occasionally a tray of finger foods will pass by and I'll take one before handing it down to the boy hiding inside my cape.

Leon and I eventually manage to check off his list of people to greet and we now stand in the far back of the hall. Taking a breather with a glass of champagne, I mindlessly run my fingers through Allister's hair as he nibbles on some cheese and crackers. "You kind of remind me of a Dragapult." Leon chuckles looking down at the ghost like-boy, I glance over to Leon. "Interesting thought." I laugh, "There they are!" A hurried voice calls, my eyes shoot over to Nessa and Sonia who pull Raihan and Piers along by their suits. All four of them held worried panicked expressions. "You're not going to believe—" Nessa starts only to be cut short, "(Y/N)!" The Chairman's voice booms. My eyes move from Nessa to the direction of his voice, the crowd parting like the sea to make room for the Chairman and the two figures behind him.

My heart plummets and the urge to throw up twists in my stomach at the sight of Champion Diantha and Champion Steven Stone walking just behind him. Diantha dressed in an all white glittering gown, her look angelic just like everyone in Kalos depicted her as. Steven, just as handsome as ever in his signature three piece suit however I could see the small flares that made it more than his usual every day suit. "Lee," I gasp, taking hold of his hand in mine, "I think I'm going to throw up." I whimper.

"Cover her!," Leon rushes quietly, the group of four intervene, stepping up to greet The Chairman and his guests first. They ramble and talk to buy time, but before Leon can slip me out of sight the chairman finds a way through. "There she is," He chuckles menacingly, the tone has me clutching Leon's hand tightly. "Chairman," I greet weakly, the man preens at my lack of enthusiasm. "The guests I spoke of earlier would like to greet you," He chimes, I sent him an almost pained smile before nodding my head. Leon being the god sent he is takes the lead, wrapping an arm around my waist and gently guiding us over to the large group where he positions himself to cover me should things go sideways. Nessa, Sonia, Raihan, and Piers off to the side with apologetic expressions.

"Champion Diantha, Champion Steven," I greet with a forced smile, the two smile pleasantly. Unbeknownst to the turmoil that stirs between the group. "It's been a long time hasn't it (y/n)?" Diantha smiles, "It has indeed, I hope you haven't been too bored without me. I doubt anyone can go toe to toe with you like I had." I smirk, forcing down the fear and terror that grips me by my throat. I will not let him win. "I would be lying if I said it isn't true," she sighs, crossing her arms and tilting her head to the side. "You look as beautiful as ever," Steven smiles, taking his hand in mine. I watch him carefully as he kisses my knuckles, Leon's grip around my waist tightening at the action.

"It's always a pleasure to see you too Steven," I smile softly, drawing my hand back, "I'd like to introduce you to Galar's Champion, Leon." I smile gesturing to the man beside me. Leon puffs his chest up and holds his hand out to greet them, Leon kisses Diantha's knuckles before firmly shaking hands with Steven. I didn't miss the way Leon bore his eyes into Steven, or the way the silver haired man stared back.

"Who knew (y/n) knew so many Champions? Growing quite the collection aren't you?" Chairman Rose chuckles, my shoulders tense at the condescending tone to his voice. Not even Diantha and Steven missed the way he spoke, both now eyeing The Chairman. "I was a very popular figure when I was Poké Queen. Not only was I the milestone fiftieth, but I was one of the five to retire with my title intact." I spoke softly, gritting my teeth.

"My reputation only grew when Diantha and I met. Champion Diantha and I were often cashing figure heads in Kalos society. Diantha wanted to show Kalos the sun, be the light in the darkness, and give people hope. While I wanted to show people the stars, be the darkness in the light, and give people acceptance." I continue lifting my head to face The Chairman, "I wasn't afraid to walk in the dark, show people the ugly in life, not when it meant I could see the stars and show people the things that made life really worth living." I spoke with all the grit I could muster. No, he will. Not. Win.

"And that's when I came to know Steven, he was a bit perplexed by me at first, I was the furthest thing away from your typical Pokéstar. He knew that and I think that's why he was so interested in getting to know me. So while you may think of it as 'collecting' the real explanation is that I simply have a natural talent to draw people in and show them things they would never expect." I decreed, daring him to even breathe at me in disagreement. "Please believe me when I say I never wanted a knight or champion, Chairman. What I want is a sword." I dared boldly, the Chairman stood there with a stony face, before smiling pleasantly. "I never meant to offend you (y/n), I will be sure to speak more carefully from now on." He chuckles, "Now, I think I should go find Miss Oleana. Please remember to be ready for the first dance. Leon, I hope you remember your lessons." The Chairman excuses, "Don't worry Chairman, I'll take care of him." I smile, getting in one last bite on him before he leaves.

As soon as he's out of ear shot a low whistle rings out from the group, "Still as vicious as ever I see," Diantha smiles. "Would you expect anything less? You know as well as I do when you kill a king you don't kill him in the dark, you kill him where the entire court can watch him die." I scoff, snatching a flute of champagne up as the tray passes. "Are you alright under there Allister?" I question the boy hidden under my cape. "Yes." He squeaks, the group's eyes widen at the sight of the boy. "Was he there the entire time?" Steven questions, "Yep." I pop before taking a long sip of my champagne.

"So now that The Chairman is gone," I sigh, pulling away, "What the hell are you two doing here." I huff. Steven smiles bashfully as Diantha grins, "We couldn't miss the opportunity to see you again when you just up and left. We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye," She pouts. "You would have made me stay," I grumble, "She makes a valid point Diantha." Steven muses.

"Hold on!" Raihan butts in, "I thought there was tension here! Not whatever this is?" He grunts. "Diantha and I are a lot like you and Leon, only we tend to take things a little too far sometimes and we can get a bit bitter about it for a while." I sigh recalling a few times where we literally almost got arrested. "It's always fun though," She giggles, "For you, I had a reputation to keep in tact." I grumble while taking another sip of my champagne.

"Well all be damned." Piers grunts, crossing his arm, "Language." Leon reminds. Piers rolls his eyes, "Children are present," I smile looking down at Allister. Piers' eyes shoot down to the small boy, "Sorry," He grumbles. "Mmhmm," I hum smugly. "Diantha and Steven, meet the gym leaders of Galar and pursuing professor. Nessa the water gym leader, Raihan the dragon gym leader, Piers the dark gym leader, Allister the ghost gym leader, and Sonia the granddaughter of Professor Magnolia." I introduce, "A little young to be a gym leader isn't he?" Steven mumbles worriedly. "He is a very capable boy, Steven." I defend, placing my hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Speaking of capable," Diantha chimes, she turns and waves someone over. I watch a man in a black suit come over with a box in hand, a symbol carved to the top of it. I look over it carefully before I finally remember the symbol, "You didn't" I sneer at her. "You didn't let me say goodbye, so when I found out you didn't bother to register for foreign energy travel. I figured it wouldn't hurt as a goodbye gift, even if you don't ever use them again, they'd make a good memento from all of us in Kalos." She smiles while opening up the box. Inside I find my Houndoom Mega stones, polished and shining like the jewels they are. I brush my fingers over the stones gently, "Holy shit are those mega stones?" Sonia gasps. "Sonia," Leon warns, "Thank you Diantha," I whisper with a slight laugh.

"Does this mean—" Leon pipes up with sparkling eyes, "No Leon I'm not going to battle you." I cut off with a sigh. The group laughs as the grown man pouts behind me, "If I may have everyone's attention." Miss Oleana's voice booms over the hall. "I'd like to encourage all Champions in attendance to find a partner and make their way to the floor so we may start the first dance." Miss Oleana instructs.

Steven's eyes snap over to me but Leon already has his hand in mine and is guiding us to the floor, "Did Miss Oleana teach you the Champion's waltz?" I mumble as we secure a spot on the cleared floor. The crowd around us whispering as Leon and I take the first position, "The very first year I became Champion," He sighs with a pained expression as if he's recalling the memory. A giggle slips through my lips but my eyes dart over to see Diantha being escorted onto the floor by Raihan, followed by Steven and a very red Sonia.

When all the Champions have taken first position the music started, I smile up at Leon as we glide across the floor. The eight step waltz consists of many turns and spins throughout the dance and that's just the bare bone of it, the Champion waltz is also a very competitive dance routine in which participants can add their own touches, which is also why it's called the Champion waltz given that said participates are often time competitive Pokémon Champions.

Steven is the first to make a move, twirling Sonia as he too spins around her before falling back into normal steps. Diantha takes the challenge full force as she whispers something to Raihan before she is then promptly spun then dipped, Raihan having such long legs it makes it easy for him to continue the dance without pause. "You wouldn't mind joining the fun would you?" Leon questions, "Show me what you got, Champion." I smirk. Leon doesn't hesitate to let his hands find my waist and lift me up into the air, he turns a full spin before letting my feet drop to the ground where we fall back into normal steps.

"Impressive," I whisper with a grin, Leon smirks. Diantha makes the first move this time, Raihan spinning her to circle his body as he twists around her before falling back into step. Steven doesn't falter and spins Sonia out before pulling her back in, he turns them in a small circle before continuing the steps. Leon and I ready ourselves for our next move only for the lights of the hall to flicker, the music still continues but the people around us whisper, "Just keep dancing," I whisper. And just as I spoke the lights went out, the people of the hall let out a startled gasp, and the music halted.

Leon slowly starts to falter to a stop but I continue to pull him, "Don't stop dancing Lee." I grunt, "What do you—" He cuts himself off upon looking at me. A smirk itches onto my lips as the real reason my dress is so legendary comes to light. In the dark filled hall my dress glows, the fabric under the translucent mesh glows white in a shooting star like pattern, the diamonds and jewels of my dress catch the light of my dress making them sparkle. The designer made the dress especially for me, and so he took my entire persona into consideration, 'you saw the beauty in darkness and in your darkness there is beauty' he said. My dress only minutes ago merely looked like stars, now it is the stars, as the dress takes the form of a meteor shower on a starry night.

"Just keep dancing Lee." I whisper, Leon follows my command and glides us across the floor. My glowing dress catches the eyes of everyone we brush past, eventually the music takes its cue to start again. Leon glides us across the floor before taking my waist and tossing me up in the air, uncaring if the other Champions are still dancing with us, already knowing he had won the Champion Waltz. 

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