Chapter Text
She’d done it. The moment felt nearly like a dream when Leon walked over and shook her hand, raising it high to the crowd. The music was blaring, the people were cheering and the new Champion Madison could hardly believe it all. Everything felt distant as she could hear her heart pounding in her chest after the exhausting battle, and the lights and sounds were nearly overwhelming. She went through the motions of accepting the trophy and standing on the podium in a bit of a daze as Leon made a small speech, his golden eyes gleaming under the bright stadium lights.She could hardly remember to listen to him as she looked around, hearing people cheering her name and the flashing lights and streamers distracting her.
Then came the deafening silence of the locker room. There’d be an afterparty, she was told as Leon had escorted her there, and she was to get ready to attend. She watched blankly as the grime of the battle swirled off her body and down the drain, getting lost in the repetition of the water hitting the tile.
She stood at the sink slightly hunched over, staring at her own face in the mirror, her dark eyes scanning her own pale face. Was this really the face of a Champion? She brushed out her damp chestnut hair, trying to curl the ends of her bob and her bangs properly since she had to make appearances matter now. “I’m Champion” she said softly to herself in the mirror, watching her lips move with the sound, considering it so foreign, “I’m Champion” she tries to tell herself more convincingly.
She didn’t plan on this outcome. She’d hoped, of course, and she’d trained her ass off for it but she didn’t really expect to pull it off. She traced her eyes with her black eyeliner and pulled her fishnet stockings up, feeling much more comfortable in her street clothes than her Gym Challenge outfit. Would she be getting a new outfit now that she’s Champion? She wondered vaguely to herself, as if it was still just a dream. Her ripped t-shirt and leather jacket felt like a warm hug and she touched the small spikes on her pleated skirt idly as she looked at herself in the mirror again.
“I’m Champion.”
Madison walked out of the locker room and into the lobby where a wave of cheers hit her like a truck. Rotom phones were flashing and she looked like a deerling in the headlights. A large hand was suddenly on her shoulder which gave her a jolt and she looked up to see Leon smiling warmly at her.
“Just smile, wave, take some photos and then we’re off!”
Madison smiled back at him, feeling reinvigorated by his confidence and did as she was instructed, signing autographs and taking photos, hearing people cry out her name and shake her hand. It was all so overwhelming but she did her best to maintain composure. She got lost in the process until Leon’s arm was around her shoulders
“Sorry, everyone, the new Champ’s gotta get some rest!” He said to the crowd, smiling and bringing her in for a photo-op for the fans who cooed. Madison let out a soft breath of relief feeling Leon next to her. He’d always been sort of an older-brother type figure, although obviously he’d been distant since he’d become Champion. But he gave her Pollux, her Scorbunny turned Cinderace, her partner who helped her get here. He endorsed her too. He saw potential? How did he see it, she wondered vaguely again, trying not to get caught up in her mind, feeling she may just combust if she got to thinking too deeply about what had just happened.
“Everyone’s already there, it’s just the league so you can relax a little,” Leon looks down at the shorter woman as they walked, her eyes dart up at his words and she begins to stammer.
“Don’t worry, you didn’t make them wait” Leon laughed a little, patting her shoulder. She relaxed just a bit.
They arrived at the restaurant, the blinds drawn around the venue for a more private party and Leon opened the door, Madison looking around the room to see all the familiar faces mingling about.
“Everyone, the new Champion has arrived!” His voice boomed and Madison looked up, panicked slightly but waves a little, scanning the faces. Milo and Nessa are at a table with Allister and Bea with plates of appetizers in front of them, Raihan seemed to be drifting about the room, snapping a picture as Leon and Madison enter. Piers and Marnie are off to the side and give a bit of a wave back and she sees Gordie and Melony raise their glasses at another table.
She saw at the bar grabbing a drink is the Man of Fire himself: Kabu. Her heart sped up as his grey eyes caught hers and he smiled warmly, sincerity evident across his weathered face. Her brain blanked for a split second until she suddenly felt a weight on her as Hop practically tackled her from behind.
“YO CHAMP!” he exclaimed as Madison steadied herself, nearly knocking into Leon who chuckled and shook his head.
Kabu watched the spectacle unfold, his smile fading into his usual stoic countenance as he sips his drink, watching the affection between Hop and Madison. His eyes lingered on the new Champion for a moment before making his way to the table with Nessa and Milo.
She laughed at Hop and felt herself relax a little for a moment, her familiar friend and his sunny disposition melting a little bit of the fear of the new world ahead of her.
“Come on, come look at this spread! It’s brilliant! The drinks, too!” Hop exclaimed and grabbed Madison’s arm, practically dragging her to the buffet table piled high with different hors d'oeuvres.
She smiled at Hop and listened to him talk about the match she had with Leon just hours earlier, talking about all the nuances he found incredible. Her grin faded slightly as she nibbled on some food, her eyes traveling over to the table where Kabu sat, watching him engaged in conversation with the others. Her eyes flicked back over to Hop who was still animatedly talking about the match.
Madison was hardly paying attention to Hop’s words as she took long gulps of her cocktail, allowing the alcohol to sting her slightly-raw throat but warm her from the inside, quelling some of the anxiety rising as its effects seep in. She began to zone out as her eyes gazed across the room of people, now both her peers and her rivals. Her mind raced with the thoughts of how different everything will be now, and how she would even be able to manage all these connections.
Hop shouted and slammed his hand on the table talking about the final blow of the match which snapped Madison back to reality. She jolted a little and Leon laughed warmly, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“Hey, are you okay there? I think we lost you for a bit.” The former champion teased lightheartedly. Madison gave him a quick nod and threw a smile back on her face.
“Yeah, I’m good!” She forced herself to perk up as Hop and Leon watched her, both grinning the same familial grin. She gave a short laugh and stood up from the table.
“I’m just going to get another drink.” She wandered to the bar with her empty glass as she took another pre-made cocktail from the counter, downing it fairly quickly. She sighed a little to herself as her dark eyes traveled across the room once more to everyone milling about, trying to maintain her appearance of positivity.
She had to. She’s Champion now. A beacon of hope. A symbol of strength.
With that thought, Madison’s eyes darted towards the back exit sign. She took another glance around, noticing no eyes were currently on her and she made her way to the back of the restaurant. As she exited just past the bathrooms the men’s restroom door opened, Kabu caught a glance of the new Champion leaving the venue.
The cool night air of Wyndon greeted her as she exited, and she inhaled deeply, the air slightly tinged with the smell of the garbage bins just down the way. She let out a sigh again and let her face drop, the anxiety stirring inside of her. She made her way down the three steps and quickly sat down, her back pressed against the brick wall next to the exit. Her dark eyes looked up at the stars twinkling in the small sliver of sky she can see between the alley-way. She took another deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to quiet the storm that’s beginning to brew in her mind.
“Mind if I join you?” A deep, familiar voice said from the stairs and Madison’s eyes snapped back open, looking to see the Fire-Type Gym Leader there, a small friendly smile on his otherwise serious-looking face.
Madison’s heart beat a little faster as she saw the older man on the stairs and nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Kabu nodded back at her and walked down the stairs, sitting down beside her, inches away. She could feel the heat radiating off of the man, his usual gym attire ditched for the evening and instead in a crimson button down and black slacks. She didn’t dare turn her head much and glanced at the man, his grey hair looking soft and thick, his mature face expressionless as he looked up to the sky as well.
She turned her focus back in front of her, to the brick wall several feet in front and to the night sky above. They sat in silence, Madison’s head swimming with thoughts about the older man beside her, not sure what she should say, or what there was to say. She kept having to remind herself that appearances matter now and she needs to act like a Champion.
Kabu just watched her carefully from the corner of his eye, noticing how the dim lamplight illuminated her pale skin, how her dark eyes, deep pools in the low light, stared off a thousand miles away and the subtle movement of her fingers across the hem of her skirt. His heart stirred as he had a moment of quiet understanding of why she was out here, and why the vacant stare.
“You’re going to do great as Champion,” the man said, glancing over to Madison. She inhaled sharply and said nothing, and he noticed her clenching her hands a little tighter on her hem. He paused for a moment, thinking carefully about what to say next.
“It’s a big change, for sure,“ he added thoughtfully, looking up at the stars “Leon struggled at first, too, you know.” A small laugh erupted from his throat as he smiled, turning his face to Madison, his grey eyes warm.
“I remember a few interviews he flubbed, and not to mention how many appearances he missed because he got lost on the way…” Kabu trailed off, Madison’s dark melancholic eyes meeting his and catching him off guard for a moment.
He smiled at her supportively and Madison felt her cheeks growing hot at his smile, his face only a foot or so away.
She looked away quickly and let out a deep sigh, moving her thighs to her chest as she hugged her knees.
“I’m afraid…” she murmured softly in a voice Kabu could hardly hear as she stared ahead, “ Afraid of failing…Everyone.”
She hugged her knees tighter and tried to keep herself from crying as a lump formed in her throat,
“And I’m afraid I’m not happy enough. Not grateful enough. That I’m just scared.”
Kabu felt his own chest tighten at the young Champion’s vulnerability, recalling all his own struggles as a young trainer and his own self-doubt even now. He placed a strong hand on her shoulder, gripping it reassuringly.
“You have a fire in you. I’ve seen it since I first saw you battle. You’re passionate and caring. All the hallmarks of a great Champion.” Madison looked away, finding it difficult to take Kabu’s praise, her face heating up at his touch even through her leather jacket. Kabu let out a soft sigh as his gaze lost hers and he looked back up at the sky, his hand lingering on her shoulder an extra moment.
“You’ll do well and it will come naturally to you. It already has.” Kabu murmured, hoping his words reach her in a way that matters but also knowing Madison needs to find her own footing in time, just like he had.
There was a quiet moment between the two once more, Madison internally struggling to keep her emotions in check.
“Thank you, Kabu. It means a lot, especially from you.” Madison paused, turning to face him, a small smile tugging at her lips as she tried to reassure the older man his praise hadn’t fallen on deaf ears.
Kabu’s eyes met Madison’s once more and he smiled back at her, suddenly realizing just how close they were sitting and how close her face was to his. An awkward pause passed between the two and Madison suddenly looked away, standing up quickly, trying to hide the pink tint to her cheeks.
“I should head back in.” The new Champion nodded at him, again playing with the hem of her skirt briefly. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime.”
And with a final glance to the older man who was beginning to stand up from his seat as well Madison headed back into the party. Kabu paused for a moment, letting her exit, already playing the interaction they just had back in his mind. He smiled to himself, feeling a little more understanding of the new Champion and who she was and hoping he was going to find out more in the coming days.