Chapter Text
It had been months since the Dynamax Incident, the weeks after that were chaos. There were many issues that needed attention, especially in regards to the former chairman and his secretary and the recovery and future developments for the entire Galar Region. Not everything was smooth sailing at first; they had to deal with the effects of the Galar Particles and learn how to stabilize its use and production, but with Champion Leon and the other Gym Leaders lending their aid, they slowly rebuilt the region.
In the middle of the region’s recovery, Piers passed his role to his little sister. He had full confidence that Marnie was more than capable of bringing new wind to Spikemuth and she had the support of Team Yell and her friends. With that, he now had a lot of time on his hands. He mostly spent his time composing music, taking strolls with his pokémon, helping Marnie out with her duties, and performing concerts from time to time.
Really, not much has changed in his daily life… Well, except for one.
A certain alpha had been persistent in persuading him for a pokemon battle whenever they crossed paths. His insistence further intensified during the days after the incident which prompted him to finish any business he had in Hammerlocke quickly before the dragon type gym leader even catches sight of him.
It's not like Piers disliked the Hammerlocke gym leader, he just can't help but feel bashful whenever he's around. The way Raihan could turn him to a blushing mess and preen with pride whenever he praised him and his pokémon for the way they battle. The way he would sling his arm around the omega requesting for a selfie, his Rotom phone always ready at a moment's notice. He'd reject it of course, push the arm away, only to look up to the grinning face of the taller man. Cyan eyes would dart away and stare at anything but the person before him. Piers would then be quick to say his farewells and rush out.
Raihan had just finished a gym challenge then and bid the challenger goodbye, encouraging them to try again after training more with their pokemon. The moment he stepped out of the stadium, a few fans had crowded around him praising him for his recent victory, asking for a moment to take pictures or have a chat with him. The Hammerlocke gym leader grinned at them, thanking them for their support as his Rotom phone buzzed around them, taking photos.
He was in the middle of posing with a fan when he caught sight of a blur of black and white locks at the corner of his eyes. His gaze snapped instantly towards the direction of the blur and landed on the figure clad in fuchsia and white, monochrome hair bouncing as he rushed through the city gates. It took Raihan a while to thank his fans and excuse himself before bolting after the man.
When he reached the gates, the one he had been following was nowhere to be seen. "Guess I missed him again," he scratched the back of his head, "I'll try again next time," before heading back.
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Piers found himself wandering around Route 7 on his way to Spikemuth, leisurely taking his time. The weather was beautiful, the sun was warm against his skin. He took out his pokeball and let out his Obstagoon. Obstagoon let out a happy chirp as he loitered ahead of his trainer, lurking through the grass.
"Hey Obstagoon, don't go too far." The former gym leader looked at his pokemon fondly as it interacted with a group of Zigzagoons frolicking around. As he approached them slowly, the lot focused on the treats ready in his hands. He crouched down and offered his hands to them and watched them munch on the treats. Obstagoon gently bumped its head on his shoulders, asking for his share. He chuckled and reached for the case of treats and gave a handful to his pokemon.
He sat down as one of the Zigzagoons climbed up his lap, the little one was comforted by his scent and settled down. He ran his fingers through its fur and giggled as the others ran nudged his arms, also wanting to be petted.
"Alright, alright, you lot. Calm down," he watched as his Obstagoon laid down beside him and some of the little ones started to crawl on top of it. Piers leaned back on his pokemon and gazed at the sky. "Hey, wanna go camping again for old time’s sake?" He asked no one in particular but he heard his pokemon happily chirp at the idea. "Let's go soon." They stayed there for a while before bidding farewell to the Zigzagoons and making their way towards Spikemuth.
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"Marnie!" Piers called out from their front door, "We'll go now. You sure you don't want to come along?" He waited until his little sister arrived in the hallway and noticed that Marnie was carrying something, "Hmm? What you got there, lil' sis?"
"You nearly forgot your phone," handing the device to her brother. "And I'm fine," assuring her brother, "I'll be hanging out with Victor and Hop today. Victor promised me a battle and Hop's tagging along, maybe I can get him to battle me too."
"If you say so," he accepted the phone and muttered his thanks to his sister, "then I'll go now. Have fun and kick their asses lil' sis!"
"You betcha, bro." She bid her brother goodbye and waved as he headed out of the house, "enjoy your time there!"
Piers walked along the streets of Spikemuth, nodding his head in greeting whenever a member of Team Yell waved at him until he reached the entrance to the city. The Corviknight Taxi was already waiting for him at the corner, "Hey, hope I didn't make you wait too long."
"Nonsense, lad! It's just for a few minutes, nothing to worry about." The driver helped him load up his bags at the backseat of the cab, "It's quite heavy lad, where ya off to?" Piers thanked the old man for helping him and closed the back door, "To Turffield."
Piers boarded on and sat down as the driver told his Corviknight to take off and head to Turffield. He felt the wind caused by the flapping of the pokemon's wings as it slowly ascended to the sky and soon, they were off. Looking down, his view of the Spikemuth got smaller and smaller until the clouds replaced it. He stuck his head out the window, the breeze softly caressing his skin and his hairs dancing as they went. He watched the scenery below and chuckled as he spotted a flock of Wooloos lazily rolling on the fields. Maybe his decision to go camping would be worth it. He leaned back and closed his eyes, it has been a while since he felt this relaxed.
A bit later, the Corvinight cawed as they slowly descended down Turffield. As soon as they landed, Piers opened the door and walked towards the Corvinight, petting it when he was near, "Thanks for flying us here." His other hand reached into his satchel and fished out a treat, which the flying pokemon happily munched on before rubbing itself against the trainer. "Thanks to you too, old man."
"You’re welcome lad!" The old man handed him his bag before climbing on the cab again, "hope you have a great time."
Piers watched as the pokemon took off and soared through the sky again until they could not be seen. He shouldered his bag and took out his Obstagoon, watching as the pokemon appeared before him. The pokemon went near him and rubbed against him making him giggle as the fur tickled face. "Let's go now, we need to go and find a good spot."
Obstagoon chirped and nodded before they set off.