Greetings, my name is Steven Stone. I used to be the Champion of Hoenn but, ah, that time is behind me.
I liiiive!
Let me know if I owe you anything! So far I think I only owe Touko, but I could be wrong!
Summer is almost here, so I’ll probably be much more active!
The brunette jumped at the sound of a voice coming from behind, she figured everyone was busy running around paying attention to the battles not so far from she got swept off from. Taking a quick turn, she faced the older trainer — well she assumed he was a trainer since he did have a Pokemon out. Not one that she had ever seen at that.
Her eyes dilated at the comment, never expected to see this sort of thing around here. What exactly did he mean by that? Hopefully it was not what she was thinking — her little being kicked out of the ground.
“N-Nothing is the problem.” Hilda quickly answered in her attempt to cover up her previous upset expressions. “I’m fine.” Hilda smiled along with a small chuckle, her hand frantically waving to move on from that little subject. Though the thought of him having had witnessed that fine moment only lingered. It’d be better to ask..
“You.. Didn’t see anything.. Right?”
Ah, perhaps he shouldn’t sneak up on people like that. The girl’s reaction to his sudden presence was slightly funny, but he doubted she’d find it to be as such. Still, the smile remained on his expression as he observed the younger trainer.
“Is that so?” He asked quietly as he turned back to the sea, a bit bemused but not about to speak up about the issue again. The girl seemed keen on avoiding the topic, and he couldn’t really blame her. it was a bit embarrassing he supposed.
However, the girl brought the subject up again, which made Steven Stone chuckle softly to himself. “I only saw the end of it, if that’s what you mean.” The Armaldo next to him shuffled a little, looked at the girl, then turned back to the sea. “I just happened to be in the lobby because Chrysocolla was nervous. In any case, what’s your name?”
Oh. Wait.
“I’m Steven Stone. Pleased to meet you.” Yes, that was better. It was always polite to state one’s name before asking for the other’s.
Well, there was no use in dwelling in unwanted thoughts. Instead, he smiled a little at Terrakion’s awkward look at the moment. He looked like he had never been thanked before! Surely…
Well, someone had to fix that, right? The Legendary Pokémon surely had a lot to be thanked for.
“Thank you again.” The human said politely, then nodded his head a little, glancing at the outside of the cave, then back at the Pokémon who had invited him here.
“I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer when I’m around the area.” The man said with a gentle chuckle. “I do a lot of travel, there’s no doubt that one day I’ll end up in Unova again.”
With that, Steven Stone gave an elegant bow, Titanium doing so as well. “It’s an honor to be so well-recieved by one of Unova’s Legends. Lets meet again.”
With a small wave, Steven then turned slightly,not wanting to exactly turn his back fully to the owner of the mountain, and started heading out, his loyal Pokémon right behind him after it uttered a short ‘bye!’.
Well, he had a lot to think about tonight.
It wasn’t as though he had never been thanked by a human, but it was whether or not the thanks was genuine.
That, and since so many trainers simply wanted to capture him, being thanked in such a way was something Terrakion had long since forgotten.
Therefore, he could only watch with some degree of fascination as the human thanked him once more before moving to take his leave, his ever faithful partner following on behind.
At his parting words, however, the Earth Guardian felt rather flustered by such a comment. It was mostly due to the fact that for his first lengthy interaction with a human after hundreds of years of isolation, it came across as rather…
… strange.
Especially as such praise was genuine, and he knew it.
As such, he watched as Steven left his cave with great interest. A human who twice, thus far, had shown no intentions whatsoever of capturing him. A human who had answered his requests and kept his word.
Was there truly such a human?
As night fell and the darkness crept up on him, the Muskedeer left the cave and watched as Steven left Victory Road. It was only after the human was long gone did he allow himself a small smile.
“Yes. Let us meet again.”
What would happen next time, however, remained to be seen.
The Muskedeer watched the silver haired human carefully as he stared at the gate. He waited patiently as the human seemed to contemplate his thoughts, and once he finally replied, the Earth Guardian supposed that he was correct.
Humans did… sometimes… not take too kindly to their own offspring, yet another trait he found detestable. He frowned a little at the mention, but his expression cleared when Steven spoke again.
Of course, Terrakion knew about what had happened to the human from Titanium. That he had died to save everyone from exerting himself by using the legendary Golems. Thinking about that, he nodded to him.
“No, they do not,” the idea of losing Celeste or Keldeo… cut very deep.
The Earth Guardian, however, did not expect what came next. He blinked in surprise when the both bowed to him, enough to make him step backwards a step.
Such gratitude… he had not been shown such gratitude from a human, genuinely for a very, very long time. As such, he wasn’t quite sure how to respond, at first. Steven’s sincere words had caught him very much off guard.
“Y-you’re welcome, I guess,” he said awkwardly while looking away from the pair, “I’m glad you got to see her,” it would’ve been very strange to invite the human to witness the event only for his mother not showing up.
It was getting late, and Terrakion could sense that their short time together was drawing to a close. Therefore, he inwardly shook off the awkward feelings he might’ve had and said, “you are welcome to visit here again.”
Inwardly, he also wondered when he would see the human again, if ever.
Well, there was no use in dwelling in unwanted thoughts. Instead, he smiled a little at Terrakion’s awkward look at the moment. He looked like he had never been thanked before! Surely…
Well, someone had to fix that, right? The Legendary Pokémon surely had a lot to be thanked for.
“Thank you again.” The human said politely, then nodded his head a little, glancing at the outside of the cave, then back at the Pokémon who had invited him here.
“I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer when I’m around the area.” The man said with a gentle chuckle. “I do a lot of travel, there’s no doubt that one day I’ll end up in Unova again.”
With that, Steven Stone gave an elegant bow, Titanium doing so as well. “It’s an honor to be so well-recieved by one of Unova’s Legends. Lets meet again.”
With a small wave, Steven then turned slightly,not wanting to exactly turn his back fully to the owner of the mountain, and started heading out, his loyal Pokémon right behind him after it uttered a short ‘bye!’.
Well, he had a lot to think about tonight.
“Wah… Hoenn? So far away…! Must’a been a cool journey from there to here, huh? I mean, even if all someone did was get on a boat, then they’d still get t’see the ocean, and the ocean’s so big and wide and pretty! But me? I’m from right here- that’s t’say, Johto!” And so maybe she did ramble a lot, but she was an energetic child- a both energetic and curious child, at that.
This Steven guy seemed to be a very nice person, albeit much more formal than she was used to. Still, she wanted to get to know him more. Maybe it was because he was so different, maybe it was because he seemed to be a truly nice person, or maybe it was just because she loved to make friends, but Lyra wanted to get to know this man more. At his comment, though, she could only giggle. “Thank ya, I guess, Steven! Though I don’t know if I ever want to see it all… It’d be kind of sad for that kinda adventure to be over, ya know? And ‘sides, the world’s always changing. It’d be super hard to see it all when there’s always more stuff being made!” But he’d wished her well, hadn’t he? Tilting the brim of her hat just the slightest, she grinned up at the man. “But I hope you manage to see all the stones there are someday, too. Heh.”
For a long moment, Lyra was silent, content with just listening to the man speak. He sounded so.. So… Sure of himself and of his knowledge, but not in a pompous sort of way. “Mm.. I guess I get what you mean, Mister Steven. I guess that sometimes, hobbies are a bit like dreams, huh? Sometimes you just can’t have ‘em..” Oblivious to the fact that Steven seemed to be getting a bit… Fidgety. “Ah, that’s really cool! But,” And she shook her finger there in a mock-scolding way. “Make sure not to get hurt then, okay? I bet there’s a whole lotta people who’d be sad if you did.”
The last comment Steven made- the one comparing his hobby to hers- sparked an idea in the young girl’s head, and she snapped her fingers immediately. “Y’know, in some ways, they’re kind of the same then, right? I bet that it’d be real easy to travel and see new places and hunt for some new stones or something at the same time!” Laughing a bit softly, she continued. “You must’ve seen a whole lotta fascinating places then, huh, Mister Steven? ‘Cause I don’t see how you can look for stuff and not end up seeing new places!”
“Hah… it was fairly entertaining, yes.” Steven replied with a smile, the girl’s enthusiasm being quite refreshing. So, she was from Johto? Well, it was to be expected, but then again, it pleased him greatly that such an interesting person would be one of the first locals he met!
The girl had interesting hopes and dreams, what she wanted to do with her life was not a road often chosen, not that it was bad at all! “Hah, that is true. It would be very hard to see it all, and I don’t think you’d have to wait long if you ever did before something new showed up. It is a good dream to have.” With that, the ex-Champion gave a smile and nodded. “Thank you very much.”
It was actually nice to hear words of encouragement for his hobby outside of friends he knew rather well, in a sense.
Well, at least the girl seemed to understand. Some things, they were just pipe dreams, he supposed. “Yes, quite.” He said briefly on the matter, deciding to leave it at that for now and instead focus on her well-wishes. “I’ll be sure to be extra careful, then. Just be sure to do the same. The road can be quite perilous at times, but that’s why you have Pokémon friends, correct?” He chuckled softly, lightly patting one of the Pokéballs firmly on his belt. Yes… their companions were quite the help, as well as encouraging company.
Still, the girl was right. To find many stones, he had to travel, as some did not form on certain places or did. Meanwhile, to see all there is, one would need to go to many, many places. Nodding at the notion, he smiled a little wider. Another wandering soul like him, of course. “Yes, that’s right. Both our hobbies… require that we move around a lot to see it all, do they not?” He chuckled softly, finding it a little funny but, at the same time, quite nice.
“I suppose I could say the same for you, Lyra. Traveling makes you see many different and strange things, regardless of the purpose, don’t you agree?”
(Source: retiredlegend)
After managing to catch a joltik on one of his rare excursions outside of Nimbasa, Austin could only say this: it was a terrible decision. Sure, it was cute as hell (even he had to admit that), and sure, it could evolve into an extremely strong pokemon, but the trouble that the little bugger brought was definitely not worth it. It couldn’t at all get along with Alex, was as energetic as it was cute, and surprisingly hard to please. All in all, he just knew it was going to cause him trouble.
Which was why he was running through the crowds of people at the Battle Subway, constantly muttering apologies to unfortunate passerbys as he tried to keep the bugger in sight. Frown etched onto his face, Austin could only sigh and stop, looking around for the electric pokemon that was far too tiny to be reasonable. It just wasn’t there. Panic began to well in his chest (it was still his own pokemon, after all), he almost started freaking out- until he heard a familiar chattering sound. Following that sound, his eyes landed upon a rather puzzled looking man- and a ball of yellow in his hair.
Quickly jogging up to him, Austin embarrassedly recalled the bug into its pokeball, then gave a small bow.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “He’s still young and energetic, and really hard to keep an eye on… But I guess I should introduce myself. My name’s Austin- I’m just a local trainer. Nice to meet you, I guess…?” Laughing a bit nervously, the ace trainer didn’t even bother asking for the other man’s name- he already knew it, and needless to say, was embarrassed enough to die that his joltik had to pick that particular head to try to sleep in.
Steven Stone had heard a lot about the Battle Subway. He had been visiting with great expectations, having had a decent time on one of the trains. He had been considering on staying here for another day, perhaps, to sight-see when he suddenly felt it. A small Pokémon had scampered up his leg and all the way to his hair. He didn’t mind, honestly, but who did it belong to? What, even, was it?
It was then that he noticed a rather embarassed-looking young man hurrying over, and it was also then that he noticed just what had climbed onto his hair. A joltik, the first one he had honestly seen so… close and personal. He chuckled softly as it was recalled to its pokeball, then shook his head.
“Young Pokémon are certainly eager to explore, don’t you agree?” The man said amiably, extending his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you and your joltik friend, Austin. I-” He figured the boy already knew, judging by how flustered the poor boy looked, but introductions were a necessity of formalities, after all! “am Steven.”
“Your friendly Pokémon happens to have uplifted my mood. I think I should return the favor.”
“Twerp?” she barked back, the brightly coloured fur on her back rising angrily as sparks began generating from those red pouches cheeks, angry at being called smaller. Normally she wouldn’t have minded so much being called small but there was the fact that her adopted older brother was standing behind her and since they were both “wild” Pokémon there was no qualms about them battling such a stronger looking Pokémon, although Kawaiichuu was pretty sure that she could knock this mon out after a few tries. Although she usually kept to the shadows there was the fact that he had insulted her adopted brother was aggravating. “You come over here and I’ll show you who’s a twerp you big bully!”
“Sis” her brother mumbled while his green eyes slid over towards the larger Pokemon and his trainer, seemingly edgy about the fact that his spunky younger sister was calling out for a fight. They didn’t usually look for trouble but nevertheless, this seemed to be a time where it found them instead of the other way around. “I don’t think is such a good idea..”
Kawaiichuu wasn’t listening though, one of her front paws scratching at the dirt in front of the pair as she snarled to them snap a challenge at the rock and steel type, her battle blood rising to fizz throughout her entire body. All Cirau could do was breathe a sigh to then take a seat on a somewhat high boulder where he could get a good view; sometimes his sister was really weird. The electric type always said she didn’t want to fight but when it came down to it, fighting was something she loved to do because well..she was good at it.
“I bet you think you’re soooo tough because you have a trainer!”
The Aggron laughed at the small one’s aggresive nature. Ah. Children. At least the smaller one seemed wise, and thus it was commendable, but the poor Pikachu seemed too egotistical to listen. At least, it’s how Chromium saw it.
“Did no one teach you how to pick your fights, brat?” The Steel-type asked, leaving Steven wondering what his pokemon was growling about that had the wild Pikachu up in an angry fit. “Chromium, leave them alone, they’re just kids.” The trainer tapped his Pokémon’s shoulder, who shook his head and snarled at them a bit.
“Brat, I don’t think I’m tough, I know I am. Why don’t you and your twerp brother go off and prance elsewhere?”
The trainer sighed, snapping his fingers. The Pokémon, while not wanting to look bad in front of what he considered to be insolent twerps, sighed and stepped back, allowing Steven to have a better look at them. “Huh… maybe they are lost.”
retiredlegend started following you
“Put me down! Put me down – put me down!!” The puffy haired trainer flailed as she was being carried away from the well known facility – the building where the Pokemon World Tournament was being held at. The tournament had already been going but she still wanted to see if there was a chance that she would be able to battle some of the foreign trainers. All the previous and current champions were meeting under this one roof! What were the chances of that? “I really want to battle them.” Her head hanging low as she kicked a few lingering debris.
“They’re just mad I was gonna win it all!” Hilda grunted. Frustrated her hand reaching down to pick up a pebble that lay there, with a small flick of her wrist she tossed it out into the large body of water. “Stupid jerks..”
The commotion attracted Steven Stone’s attention as he sat in the lobby as he tried to calm his very nervous Armaldo by petting the bug type’s head. A trainer he had not seen before, probably local, had been kicked out without a word. Well, from what he had seen, anyway. Curious, he stood, deciding being outside would probably calm his Pokémon, who seemed to be reacting strangely to the large amount of trainers in the area, although he wasn’t sure as to why.
With Chrysocolla in tow, he soon caught up to the girl, who was now rather occupied with grumbling and tossing pebbles to the sea.
She seemed awfully familiar in appearance, now that he actually approached, but where had he seen her before? Huh… probably some news report, he supposed. Hopefully, not a criminal, but he honestly doubted it.
“My, I never expected to see this sort of thing around here.” He spoke up, standing nearby and facing the sea for a few moments before turning to the girl, smiling a little. “What seems to be the problem?” Chrysocolla, meanwhile, seemed perfectly content to stare at the familiar sight of the ocean.
The muskedeer merely regarded Titanium with a thoughtful look as he watched the silver haired human. He was… unsure what to make of his reaction to seeing his departed mother… was he happy? Was he sad? Terrakion did not know.
The Earth Guardian watched as the human slowly stood up, and he himself raised his head back to his normal height to match him.
It was growing dark now as the sun sunk below the horizon as another day ended. It lowered fast now, being winter, and the cave’s colours changed rapidly from deep red to greens and blues, and with it, it was as though sound returned to the cave now that the spirits were gone. There was the rush of the water from the waterfall, and the distant cries of Pokemon every now and then.
As Steven spoke, he blinked at the other and turned back to the now desolate gate, then to the human before him. Terrakion had never really thought twice about the other’s reaction, but… something in his words struck a chord within him.
His parents… they were so proud of him, and he knew it. He had known it for a long time, so in a way, he felt now that he had taken advantage of that gift,
The gift, he realised, was granted to very, very few.
“Parents who love their children will be proud of them no matter what… but I can understand why you would wonder, regardless,” the Legendary Pokemon finally spoke, and he smiled a little in turn, “is she proud of you, Steven?”
Steven couldn’t force himself to tear his gaze from the gate, not now after he had spoken. One of his hands gripped the Metagross’ leg lightly from the top, where the lower and upper leg jointed, and then lightly patted his precious partner. With the other’s support, he felt he could do anything. Even if it was just to keep his composure while the conversation lasted.
Slowly, the light around them dimmed as day turned to night, and the human finally managed to turn away, looking at Terrakion instead.
“We can’t assume it’s always the case.” Steven Stone said softly, although a small smile graced his expression. “However, she said so with certainty… she was proud of me.” It was as if a weight suddenly left him, as the human straightened a little in his posture.
“… Although she wasn’t pleased with what I… had to do at one point. It was for the best, but I suppose no parent would want their child to die.”
He left it at that, nodding at his Pokémon, then back at Terrakion. Even if he looked resolved and calm now, he still had a lot to think about once he got to the hotel he was staying at for the night.
“… Thank you for this opportunity, Terrakion. I was honestly not sure of… what to expect, but the experience will be one I’ll carry with me always.” He bowed his head lightly, and his Metagross did as well. Titanium seemed happy about the opportunity his long-time friend had been given.
