The scoreboard on the screen that witnessed the fight between the two trainers gave its verdict, Touko, the champion had been the winner of the match and in front of her kneeling in shame was her adversary. They heard several footsteps coming from the entrance and once again the group of the elite four was there, accompanied by a brunette with purple hair, they all reached the room where they found their former partner Grimsley defeated. Feelings of happiness and sadness were placed in everyone's hearts along with doubts, but none said a word, they only concentrated their eyes on the young brown-haired girl who was calmly approaching the man on the ground.

Touko smiled and with her hand extended to her height she looked directly at the man she had defeated.

-Do you still have something to say to me after my betrayal?- Grimsley looked away trying to ignore the fact that she was there or also the others.

-Grimsley look at me- Those were the only words uttered by the young woman who now knelt at the opposite height, resting one of her knees on the ground and the opposite foot, remaining in the pose of a medieval knight.

The sinister leader surrendered to her charm had no choice but to look at her to meet directly with sea-colored eyes that seemed to see through his soul, captivating eyes without a doubt, but it was not him who was in them, but someone else...

-Grimsley, I know the reasons why you did this, I know you were annoyed with me and did your best to make me react, something that the others did not see, you saw it- The tone of the short-haired brunette was proud to hear the time of happy thing that the man with blue eyes and black hair did not miss, he remained in his position staring in amazement at the bright and great heart that his queen possessed. Without a doubt, an enviable quality. Was this what had caught the attention of that young man two years ago?

Grimsley wanted to find an answer, he needed to find it. He still couldn't believe in the goodness of a person and in her extreme capacity for trust and belief in human betterment. Had that pushed her to unimaginable limits? Was it that emotion that some believe weakness that drove her? He wanted to know; he wanted to see more of her.

-H-how?- His voice came out confused while in his eyes that spark of childish curiosity shone towards the person in front of him who was helping him to stand up.

-But despite your good intentions you only managed to hurt many peoples...- The happiness that settled in the heart of the sinister leader was stopped as soon as all joy and pride was replaced by disappointment and some sea eyes seemed to stab him directly heart in a sweet and sour way at the same time. Touko paused her sentence and her tone turned to regret -I owe an apology, not only to you but to everyone.

Grimsley could not be anything but surprised. The young woman of sea orbs was now bowing in front of him in a sincere position of apology not only for him but for everyone. It seemed incredible how his thoughts had caught up with her after all. She was amazing.

-Champion...

Everyone present said in unison that word so heard by Touko, each with their own particular tone, each with their emotion and feelings. Touko raised her head taking a deep breath thinking about her Lucario's words. Now was the time to act, had a chaos to return peace.

-I was selfish and childish, I also kept everything I felt and thought to myself and did not comment on it to any of you; I thought that, that way I could move on but It was a big mistake. I made the same mistake two years ago...- Every word that her lips said was released straight from her heart while her mind seemed to meticulously analyze them and tortuously scold herself for her mistakes, but there was still hope -I thought that if I sealed my heart to everything I would be stronger, I believed that if I thought of others first, I would make them happy but I never considered my own happiness or will, nor how some people noticed my darkness. Grimsley, you wanted to help me but I never allowed you to get close, so you decided to become someone who there would be no way to ignore... Right?

And there it was again that electrifying spark of violet determination that shone incandescently in the sea eyes and looked with anxiety and passion at those present in that room, it had returned stronger than ever and reborn from its ashes like a phoenix that takes flight. Touko was determined, each fiber of her being showed it, each gesture of her hands and each rise and fall of her chest, breathing great gasps of air to follow her speech with an inimitable and immovable emotion.

-I tried to do my best to see that electrifying flame in your eyes again, my- No, Champion Touko- And finally Grimsley spoke, this time without sarcasm or irony, he spoke in a respectful way, from his heart as he closed his eyes and a relieved smile painted his face making the others present smile.

-I regret never having noticed how you suffered for my cause Grimsley, I also regretted having kept quiet these years. So now I'm going to talk, if you still want me by your side- Again the voice of the monarch of that palace echoed in its walls and columns of pure black, sincerity and honesty were holding her hand and seemed to move her lips - I need you, each one of you, regardless of your mistakes or differences, I trust in the value of each one and in your judgment and abilities. I want to be free from these ties, from this place. I want to look for N again, I want to say what I didn't say back then and I want to get it right to start with. But I can't do it alone.

Touko was totally sincere to a point that she didn't think she was capable of, she said her ambitions and hopes, she declared her love in a certain way. The love she felt for everyone, the love she felt for the one who had fled from her life. Her hands rested for a moment on her chest as those electrifying eyes attested to her words. Each of those present drew their own conclusion, each had something to say and Touko was willing to hear it whether it was supportive or not.

-So tell me, even after my faults, even after my mistakes and selfishness. Even knowing the path that I will choose, would you stay by my side?

And so were her last words as she looked into the eyes of each of her colleagues waiting for an answer. She was scared. Yes, she was nervous, her breathing seemed like the tornado created by a small wild pidove but still, even if her legs were shaking she was still standing. Because that was her dream.

-Love is a pure feeling, the purest in the human psyche. It gives you wings sometimes, I want to see it again. I want to see how our champion flies on her own- The first to pronounce a word in a cordial and calm way was the young blonde with butterflies in her hair, her tone was encouraging and curious with a slight touch of pride in him. Like the rest, she wanted to see how far her queen would be able to go -If this humble and beautiful psychic is enough for you, let me stay by your side, my queen.

She could not miss that giant self-esteem and that typical Caitlin self-sufficiency as she directed a hand to her chest and two of her aura butterflies slowly raised her dress with a bow.

-The strength of your feelings is admirable, I would not expect anything less from someone who holds my teacher in high esteem. If you keep going down the difficult road you go, if you really want to fight for it by lifting the rocks: let this fighter be your defender.

The strong man kept on his face that bright smile of victory so energetic characteristic of him while he got into a karate pose with clenched fists winking at the young champion in front of him. He admired her strength like everyone present, that was beginning to be clear to the young woman.

-Caitlin ... Lotto ...- Touko's stunned words were interrupted by a ghostly tone full of mystery as the gloved hands turned in the air energetically and full of emotion when reading that fable.

- "And her eyes shone like fervent boiling steel before turning into a sword, that was the courage of the soul of the heroine who wielded the dark orb. The ideals that seek a longed-for truth within a monotony of endless gray, want to return again to black and white ties" That will be a fragment of a novel that I plan to write, I will be looking forward to a new chapter from you, Miss Touko~

Shauntal gave her opinion on the matter with that characteristic air of mystery while a mischievous smile was signed on her face that she then lowered to see the tablet with the writing that she carried in her hands.

-Grimsley...? - The young champion questioned when she saw that after a while he was the only one who was still silent like a dog just scolded by his master. When she went to approach him, she could see how his blue eyes received her so that she remained in the place where she was. This time there was not a hint of falsehood in his gaze.

- The darkness of your soul is gone, or at least you have made it your own light. For a being who walks in the dark like me, I wish I could hold that light in my hands and make sure that it is real- The words of the man with spikey black hair were heard sincerely by everyone as he made a gesture of apology and at the same time taking an oath. His hand to his heart and closing his eyes while bowing his head in a sign of respect for the champion- If even after wandering at night knowing your destiny you prefer my protection, allow me to be the shadow behind your steps, my Lady.

Grimsley looked up and smiled at the girl with the brown curls and short hair. Then the last to speak was a fluffy brunette who had spent all her time thinking about her words and how they would encourage her friend.

-I will not have beautiful and refined words like the rest, I will not know well what to say now, but I will tell you what is in my heart. If you're Touko I'm sure you will make it, so go for it with all your might and show that idiot what it takes to abandon my boss! Don't give up! - The talk that at first seemed calm turned wild when Iris began to strike fighting blows in the air and fiercely pointed at the sea-eyed young woman with a smile -We will watch your back, so move forward without fear down the path you have chosen, because you are Touko, Hero of Ideals and Champion of Unova!

And with those words each one rested one of their hands on Touko's shoulders at the same time that the hyperactive brunette gave her a slight, but quite strong, push to Touko making her walk two steps and almost fall to the third and then turn and meet with everyone's smiling faces giving her a sign of approval.

-You ... Thank you all!

***

-So you're still looking for him...- Said an old man with flames by hair holding a letter -You really are admirable after all these years little Touko. I will be happy to see you evolve and to give you my support. Don't you think the same, boy?

-Certainly admirable, that's my childhood friend