Chapter Text
After the Champion-Ranked Coronation party at Nemona’s house (she would never get over the fact her best friend lived in a mansion), Juliana returned to her home down the street. She was keen to spend the rest of the night in the quiet of her room before winter break officially began. Though she enjoyed her friend’s company, the party’s lively atmosphere had knackered her—especially since the entirety of Uva Academy had been invited. Apparently, earning the Champion rank was as celebrated in Paldea as being crowned Champion in Galar. Yet, Juliana had one more thing to sort out before the night was over—an obligation she’d been putting off for weeks. Now, she sat at her desk, her laptop open to a blank Google Doc. The essay loomed over her: a requirement to summarise her experiences across Paldea over the past four months and, if applicable, to describe her "greatest treasure."
And there was her problem.
Juliana felt certain she had found her treasure; she could feel it to her core. But every time she tried to articulate it, her mind blanked. Writing had never been her strong suit, and now, with the clock ticking toward midnight, her inability to express herself was biting her in the ass.
Groaning softly, she rested her head in her palm, glaring at the blinking cursor. She half-wished she could project her thoughts onto the screen. “Blimey, why are essays always such a faff?” she muttered dramatically, letting her head fall to the desk with a dull thud.
The impact sent one of her Poké Balls rolling off the desk. It hit the floor, releasing Scarda, her Meowscarada. The feline Pokémon blinked in confusion before focusing on his trainer, who was rubbing her forehead.
“Oi, sorry, Scarda. Didn’t mean to wake you,” Juliana mumbled.
Scarda tilted his head, his sharp eyes catching the glow of her laptop screen. “Scar?” he meowed, padding closer and standing behind her.
“Oh, this?” Juliana gestured half-heartedly at the laptop. “Just this daft essay I’ve got to finish before midnight. Can’t seem to get a single bloody word down.” She sighed, her gaze unfocused as she stared at the blinking cursor on the screen.
Scarda, ever the cheeky sod, leaned forward and swiped at the keyboard with his paw, causing a string of random letters to appear on the screen. “Mrrrw,” he purred, a sly grin forming on his maw.
Juliana snorted at his antics. “Cheers for that, mate. Really helping me out here.”
Scarda gave a lazy meow and gently leaned against her, clearly more interested in getting her to pay attention to him than in her essay-writing struggles as he rested his head atop hers. Juliana smiled at him, easing just a little despite the frustration she felt. As much as he was a handful at times, something was reassuring about having him there, a reminder that she wasn’t truly alone in her struggles.
Her gaze drifted back to the screen; her mind blank. She’d spent days trying to identify her treasure - what part of her journey over the last four months was considered important enough to write about for the essay? It wasn’t like she didn’t have anything that mattered to her. Hell, she even made a list of things, but none of them felt right. None of them felt… real.
Her fingers drummed absently on the desk, and she reflected on the journey she’d shared with Scarda. The way he had come into her life back when he was just a Sprigatito, all cheeky and full of energy, always seeming to cause trouble but never falling to make her laugh. And all the adventures they’d shared since then. The battles, the laughs, the times he’d gotten himself into messes caused by his shrewdness and pride---but always had her back in the end.
Juliana thought about the days when it had just been her and him---when the world felt like a much smaller, simpler place. They had fought together, been through scrapes, and celebrated victories that, to most people, wouldn’t have been much. But to them? Those moments have meant everything.
‘Yeah…’ she thought, tapping her temple, ‘We’ve been through a lot, haven’t we, bud?’
Her mind shifted to other parts of her life, and that’s when it clicked.
It wasn’t just Scarda---it was the people who were with her along the way. Those moments of triumph, the silly times, and the quiet support she has gotten, not just from him, but from the others. From Nemona, Arven, and Penny… those who didn’t need grand speeches or big plans to make her belong (Okay, so the Gym Challenge, Herba Mystica hunt, and Team Star raids could be big plans, but hush). They were there when she needed them, even when she didn’t know she needed them.
It was the way they had her back once they got to know her, no questions asked. The way she could be a bit of a mess, and they’d just… get it.
Juliana sat up straighter, blinking in surprise as the dots began to connect in her head. She sat there for a second, the realization dawning on her with a strange sense of clarity.
“Wait… that’s it,” Juliana whispered to herself, ignoring how Scarda complained about his resting place shifting away from him.
She’d been looking for the grand thing---something profound, like honor or ambition or whatever else sounded important. But the thing that mattered most to her—the thing that had always been there—wasn’t anything so abstract. It was the people who’d shared her journey. The ones who stuck by her side, who had her back when things got tough, and who shared in the little victories, no matter how small.
Her eyes softened as she looked to Scarda, the feline having moved to her bed and stretching out on it as he tried to comfortable spot to kip until his trainer was finished with her assignment.
“Blimey, Scarda,” she said, shaking her head with a grin. “It’s the people, innit? All the little moments we share. That’s what matters.” She paused, her thoughts racing. “It’s not about some big, dramatic thing. It’s about the every day... the ones who make you feel like you’re not alone.”
Scarda yawned, unimpressed, and flipped over to have his back to her. Juliana chuckled, her thoughts delving deeper into reflection as she thought about everything she’d experienced over the last four months.
She could hear Nemona’s enthusiastic voice in her head now, the way she’d always pushed her to be her best, and the way she’d always had a challenge for Juliana no matter what. Or Arven, who, despite his grumbling, always showed up when it mattered, like that time he'd gone out of his way to help Juliana when she’d been overwhelmed with her studies and everything else. And Penny, with her quiet, comforting presence, and her dedication to her friends, even if she wasn’t the loudest one in the group.
Juliana felt a warm rush of gratitude flood through her, the kind of feeling that only came when you saw something clearly for the first time. She turned back to the laptop, the words now flowing naturally. No more overthinking, no more pretending to be someone she wasn’t.
"A Journey Through Paldea: The Real Treasure of Friendship and Growth"
By Juliana Gedal
When I first stepped onto the vast, sunlit fields of Paldea, I thought the Treasure Hunt would be all about the things I could physically find—hidden places, rare Pokémon, or ancient artifacts. The excitement of exploring new towns and battling Gym Leaders was thrilling, but as the months went on, something became clear: The real treasure I was meant to find wasn’t something tangible. It was never just about finding a literal treasure. No, my treasure wasn’t a shiny object or a victory in battle—it was the bonds I forged with my Pokémon, and the incredible people I met, who pushed me to be better. It was about finding the heart of what truly matters: Connection, trust, and growth. This realization came to me over the past four months and is one I wish to share with you.
Paldea’s landscapes were nothing short of breathtaking, from the wide, golden fields to the sheer, towering cliffs. However, as beautiful as the region was, it wasn’t the terrain that left the biggest impression on me—it was the Pokémon I met and the experiences I shared with the Pokémon who joined me. My Pokémon, who I’ve spent countless hours training and battling with, became more than just team members. They became my closest companions. Through each challenge, I learned that our bonds weren’t just about battling together—it was about trust, patience, and support. Whether it was climbing a mountain together or simply sharing a quiet moment by the campfire, my Pokémon taught me the real meaning of partnership. With each victory and defeat, our connections grew stronger, but the more I reflected on the word “treasure,” the more I realized that my true treasure wasn’t just in these partnerships with my Pokémon, but also with fellow trainers I had encountered.
It all started with Nemona, the ever-competitive, enthusiastic champion-in-the-making. At first, I thought our relationship was defined by rivalry. She pushed me to my limits, challenging me in every town, and encouraging me to get better with every battle. There were moments when I found her enthusiasm overwhelming, but as we continued to cross paths, I began to see the depth behind her fiery spirit. I learned that Nemona wasn’t just teaching me how to battle better—it was about the importance of pushing yourself to be the best version of yourself. She believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself, and over time, I came to realize that her rivalry wasn’t about competition—it was about mutual respect and shared growth. What started as a friendly challenge became one of my most treasured friendships. In many ways, Nemona helped me understand that a good friend can also be your greatest motivator.
Then there was Arven. When I first met him, he seemed like just another traveler—a little prickly, and reserved—but as we worked together to find and defeat the Titan Pokémon, I learned that there was more to his story. Arven was battling his own demons, trying to make sense of his family struggles, his relationships with his parents, and his sense of worth. As we tackled each Titan, I began to see Arven’s vulnerability. He wasn’t just a fellow adventurer; He was someone who was healing, just like me. Our friendship became about more than just completing tasks—it became about supporting each other through the highs and lows. He opened up about his difficulties, and I offered what little comfort I could. We helped each other, even when we didn’t have the answers. Arven taught me that true friendship means being there for someone, not just in the moments of glory, but in their moments of need. That is the essence of what makes a treasure truly priceless.
Penny was different from the start. She wasn’t as loud, or as bold, as Nemona; Not as outwardly emotional as Arven, but her quiet strength was something I quickly came to admire. From our first few encounters, when she helped me take down Team Star's bases, I realized that there was a lot more to Penny than the shy, reserved persona she initially showed. As we spent more time together, I saw how deeply she cared for her friends—and for Paldea itself. Penny was not just fighting for a cause; she was fighting to protect the things she loved. I learned from her that sometimes the most powerful friendships are the ones that don’t need to shout the loudest—they’re the ones built on trust, understanding, and the simple acts of kindness that often go unnoticed. I came to understand that friendship is a quiet, steadfast thing—a treasure that doesn’t need to be grand or flashy to be valuable. Her strength in the face of adversity and her dedication to her friends taught me that sometimes, being there for someone is the greatest gift you can offer.
So, did I find my treasure in Paldea? Yes, I did—but not in the way I expected. The treasure I found wasn’t a Shiny Stone or a powerful new Pokémon. It was the relationships I built, that strengthened with every new challenge and quest.
In Nemona, I found a friend who challenged me to be better. In Arven, I found a companion who taught me the importance of vulnerability and healing. And in Penny, I found a friend who reminded me that strength often comes in the quietest, most subtle forms. The treasure I was in search of was never about what I could hold in my hands—it was about the connections that shaped me, the friendships that lifted me, and the love I felt for my companions, the Pokémon who walked by my side.
I can’t help but smile when remembering my journey. The paths I’ve traveled, the Pokémon I’ve befriended, and the people I’ve met have all been part of something far greater than I could ever have imagined. My treasure wasn’t something I could carry or display—it was the bonds I formed along the way, the love and trust that blossomed between me, my Pokémon, and my friends. As I reflect on these past four months, I realize that the true treasure of Paldea isn’t something found in a cave or on a mountain peak. It’s found in the moments shared with others, in the chorus of laughter and the quiet moments of friendship; In the unspoken connections that tie us all together. And for that, I’ll forever be grateful.
Juliana stopped typing, her hands resting on the keyboard as a deep sense of satisfaction washed over her. She didn’t know what time it was, but it didn’t matter. The essay was done. And for the first time in ages, it felt like her words, a true reflection of her heart.
“Well, Scarda,” she said, stretching and glancing over at her Pokémon, who was still lounging lazily across her bed, “that wasn’t so hard after all, was it?”
The Meowscarda meowed lazily, his pink eyes half-lidded as he gave her a satisfied look. She chuckled and cracked her knuckles.
Juliana laughed. “Right, then. Once I’ve submitted the essay, it’s time for some cocido. Mum said there were some leftovers in the fridge, and I am knackered. You coming, or are you staying there all night?”
Scarda yawned dramatically, clearly content to stay where he was. With a grin, Juliana turned back to her laptop. She couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, knowing she’d captured her greatest treasure in words.
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