[Most people would look at Leon and think he was doing quite well for himself. How could they not? He's the League Chairman now! He gets to do exactly what he wants: work to ensure that the trainers of Galar are the strongest there is, this time in a position to oversee and nurture potential trainers rather than act as a roadblock. Indeed, he does seem more lively than he had been as the Champion.
Most people, however, weren't Raihan. Most people weren't Leon's greatest rival, and rivals learn about each other in a way no one else does.
Raihan could see the tired look in Leon's eyes, the way he'd stare into space before snapping out of it, the texts that were either left on read or answered far too late, the way he'd pause, distracted, before giving an answer. The man was exhausted, likely from working too hard. Was the Chairman position too new, too different? Was he trying to clean Rose's mess too fast? Was it all of the above?
Well, Raihan wasn't about to let his rival work himself to death. Which is how he found himself at the Battle Tower, fighting his way to the top to get to Leon. Sure, he could take the easy way up, but why do that when he could have some amazing battles instead?
(The Tower really was a great idea -- a way to take something that was tied to Rose and turning it into something the people of Galar would enjoy. A way for trainers to fight in more accessible ways, and for a chance to fight Leon without such huge obstacles to pass. Raihan might have scoffed at some of the ideas Leon had, but it was really, truly good.)
Then, he reached the top, finally coming face to face with Leon. The battle was fierce, even with Leon's exhaustion playing a hand. It very nearly snagged Raihan a victory, if Leon hadn't gotten extremely lucky with a critical hit from Charizard.
He was glad for it anyway. A win when Leon wasn't at his best wouldn't be a true win at all.
Still, Raihan wiped his pout away as he strode forward, an energetic smile on his face even with the loss, and posed while his Rotom took a few selfies from different angles.]
Another loss, but I still look good, eh? [Now that he's reached Leon, Raihan lifts his arm, his Rotom flying into his hoodie pocket while he holds his hand out for Leon to shake.] Shame we didn't have a crowd watching this time around!
[a good fight after a long time feels so nice-- invigorating, in fact. it's been a while since anyone has managed to climb up to the top of the battle tower, and thus challenge leon.
so what does leon do when it's a bad day and trainers are unable to come to see him? he has work waiting for him. mountains of work that even if he were a machamp and had four arms, he'd have to burn the midnight oil some just to finish.
but this was great, and he feels less tired, now.]
Your need for your adoring public. [a gentle tease as he grasps raihan's hand.] Should I install some Rotom cameras around to keep you happy?
[an unspoken question: are you going to come around again?]
Got my own for that. [He gives his hip a tilt, as if to indicate to the pocket Rotom flew in.] Whatever your Rotom cameras can do, mine can do better.
[Which might sound like a rejection to that unspoken question, but Raihan's not finished, giving Leon's hand a firm squeeze before pulling his own away.]
The excitement of the crowd might be irreplaceable, but there's something about battling when it's just the two of us, yeah?
[That cap looks god awful with his new outfit, and Raihan communicates that with a slight wrinkle of his nose. He's always been a bit of a fashionista, and Leon violates the laws and intricacies of that every day of his life.
Still. It's Leon. He makes it work by virtue of being him.
He gives a good-natured roll of his eyes, and his Rotom picks up on the unspoken cue to fly out of his pocket, hovering into a good position.]
The kindness of the new chairman knows no bounds. I'm humbled.
[He gives a sharp grin, all teasing. With that, he moves to Leon's side and slips an arm under his hair, holding him around the shoulders, and leans up against him. His free hand digs something out of his pocket: two small slips of paper, which he purposefully faces away from Leon for now.]
[leon, focused on the rotom's lens, absolutely does not notice what raihan has in his hand, especially when the man is much taller than himself and thus blocks his view by being so tall. and having a thick hoodie. instead, leon pulls on that champion's smile with his teeth in a faux-happy grin, worn so often in the past that it's so easy to take on now no matter how he truly feels.
despite how much he misses the mantle, he does wish his successor all the luck, when there are so many eyes watching and examining every move and picking it all apart.
then he raises his fingers in a v-sign, just to silently brag that he won against raihan once again.]
[It's the only smile of Leon's that Raihan doesn't like, honestly, because it's the not-quite-genuine one he pulls when he's not truly feeling it, when he's just smiling for the camera, or the crowd, and wanting to be anywhere but there at the time. It's the smile that always made Raihan want to pull Leon away from wherever he was and just let him... be. Raihan loves the crowds and the cameras, loves the attention, but even he gets tired of it sometimes, needs some time to himself. He, too, has faux-happy smiles that are nigh undetectable.
He just wishes Leon didn't do it now, when it's just the two of them, which points at something else being wrong. Hopefully, his plans will give him something more genuine to smile about.
With the selfies done, Raihan pockets the paper before Leon can notice them, then grabs that v-sign of Leon's with his free hand.]
Shut up. [Even though Leon didn't say anything. The gesture is loud enough.] But hey, that was a good one. You know my fans always go wild for the selfies with you in them.
[Some of Raihan's fans are Leon's fans, after all. Though... some very much are not. The comments get pretty chaotic on both ends when he poses with Leon.]
[leon grins, tilting his head up so raihan can see the expression in full, then tugs his hand free.]
Why don't you take them more often after we battle, then? After I beat you, I mean. [even as he says that, his smiles are becoming more genuine. he's finally starting to relax after a few bad days, and all thanks to raihan and this pokemon battle.]
You've a few more free minutes in you? How about a round two after we take care of our Pokemon?
[Seeing that fake smile start to melt into something more genuine is like seeing the sun shine through parted clouds after a storm, and Raihan feels his own smile tilt up more in response to it. He's glad to see it, especially after seeing how tired Leon's been.
It's a rival thing.
Really.
It's fine.
At the prospect of another battle, Raihan blinks, and his pupils thin into slits while his irises seem to outright glow.]
I never say no to a challenge, especially from you, Leon! [With that said, Raihan pulls away, his grin sharp as he takes a few steps back.] This next selfie will be of my win against you!
[But, you know. First, gotta heal up his Pokemon.]
[that's what he likes to see, that look on raihan's face-- truly cocky and ready for a good battle. he's seen some of raihan's selfies on social media, when leon has time to even look at his phone, and some of those smiles don't exactly look right. perhaps because leon knows raihan all too well...
so it's good that raihan's enjoying himself, and leon gives him a grin back as he works his arms and shoulders.]
You've only space for one tag on that selfie, and that's another defeat. You should use the break to think up of new strategies.
I'll even let you change up your team, if you want.
[And Leon's right about that. Sometimes, even his best selfies have that smile that isn't quite right, not that anyone can really tell. To everyone else, Raihan's giving that same confident smile, all sharp eyes and teeth on display.
Leon isn't everyone else, though.]
Look at you, talking all high and mighty. I think being up on the top floor's getting to your head a bit!
[It's hard to fully walk away, especially when it comes to exchanging trash talk with Leon, but he really does have to heal up his Pokemon and switch up his team. Thankfully, there's a healing station nearby, and soon enough, his Pokemon are in and ready to go.]
I never use the same strategy twice, not with you! You ought to come up with a counter while you're waiting over there, lest you want me dragging you through the mud!
[leon grins up at him as he takes his turn at the station, healing his pokemon before turning away to fiddle at the pc and change up his team-- rather, change up the two pokemon he has aside from charizard, because his old buddy is never going to leave his team.
and, of course, he's not going to let raihan see who he brought on.]
Are you sure you can come up with something in just a few minutes' time? Planning anything fancy in your brain as we speak?
[Truth be told, Raihan prefers to have time to strategize even though, as a Gym Leader, one of his many jobs is to do so on the spot, what with the array of teams and plays he gets to encounter. But he loves to think of different plans, could spend hours locked in the vault watching his and Leon's latest match, pouring over what went wrong, how to fix his mistakes, what new pokemon Leon brought on. Training for this is always so much fun for him, and one of the reasons he values having a rival like Leon.
He doesn't do the same for Leon, though, yeah?
He's been training for this for so long and some kid who barely had experience managed to do what he couldn't.
"The greatest battle I've ever had," huh? Some rival he turned out to be.
Hush. Now wasn't the time. But, man... Raihan could really use the thing he's planning, too, much as he denied it.]
You're talking to the top Gym Leader of Galar! As if I'd come up with anything that wasn't fancy!
[Wiping his insecurities from his mind, Raihan grins as he heads over to his side of the field.]
You're just lucky there's no crowd here to witness your defeat! Oh, but don't worry. I'll be sure to capture it on camera!
I did ask if you wanted some cameras around here to livestream the battles, and who said no, eh?
[leon's smirk is teasing as he pats the balls on his belt, having chosen his team for this new round.]
I should just do it, I suppose-- especially since you'll be coming around more often, and staying longer. [he's rather sure of that, now that leon's established that raihan is welcome any time, and can stay for as long as he wants to. it would set his tower's schedule back a little... but then again, hardly anyone manages to make it all the way to the top to see him.]
Because mine's better. I'd insult my Rotom if I agreed to it!
[His rotom flies out of his pocket at that, giving a quirky, electronic-sounding laugh as it flies above Raihan's shoulder. Once he reaches his side of the pitch, Raihan turns, one hand on his staring pokemon's ball.]
But maybe you should install them. Advertise a little more! You'd drum up more interest if you showed some fanservice! Then you won't be so lonely!
[He hadn't... quite meant to share that last thought aloud, but it's true. Leon does sound lonely, if he's so excited about Raihan sticking around (which he can't really do, as being a gym leader means his duty is to Hammerlocke). It stings a little, knowing that.]
Me? Lonely? [leon smiles, going off of reflex rather than thinking exactly about what raihan just said. the truth is, he's actually quite shocked over it.
lonely, him?
he cant believe it.]
Och, no. How you've ever gotten that into your head, I haven't the foggiest.
[Maybe now isn't the best time, but he starts the battle regardless. His first is Flygon, whom he commands to cause a sandstorm right from the get go. At least Raihan's clothes are weather-resistant, and he's pretty used to sand getting everywhere these days.]
You're all by yourself up here! [He shouts to be heard over the winds of the storm.] Not many make it to the top, and if they don't, you bury yourself in work! You're exhausted, so you've definitely been going overtime with it. And I know I'm irresistible, but you're still going out of the way to get me to stay longer!
[Which, well, he likes to think it's for more reasons than that, but he knows better than to get his hopes up. (It happens anyway, because it be that way sometimes.)]
It's okay to admit, you know! Even the great Raihan gets lonely!
[impatient, are we? it's just fortunate that leon has dragapult on his team right now, and of course he'll be using that to counter raihan's opening pick. a risky choice, to be sure, but it's one he's chosen.]
Lonely, you? [except leon knows that's true-- he's merely giving his old friend the benefit of the doubt through jibes and jokes because raihan would never admit to that.
ever.]
Who're you, then? And what have you done with Raihan?
[So, Leon's sending out Dragapult first as a counter to Flygon. Dragon-type moves are super effective against each other, so it's an obvious choice. Risky, though, especially with a sandstorm active. With Raihan's affinity towards dragons and Leon's first choice being Dragapult, he figures he's probably got a Haxorus on that team, too.
He thinks it through a bit, some quick calculations. He could take the predictable route and use Dragon Claw against Dragapult, what with it being super effective. But he's also got Crunch, a dark-type move that's just as powerful and effective. Even still, Earthquake is a strong move that's even more devastating with a sandstorm...
Thinking it through, he roars out his first move.]
Flygon! Let the winds guide you! Bring that Dragapult to its knees with a Crunch!
[At his command, Flygon flies forward, his wings singing with the sand, his jaw open to carry out the order. Whether it hits or not, Raihan calls out to Leon again.]
It's just you and me here, mate! No crowd, no livestreaming, just us! [Indeed, his Rotom is more focused on taking dynamic pictures of both trainers and Pokemon than streaming anything.] I open up to you a little, and that's what I get?
[He teases too, and the grin on his face indicates that. He knows Leon isn't serious; they've been close friends on top of being rivals for forever now, they know how the other works. But still!]
[using a ghostly dragon is a calculated risk, but a risk nonetheless. leon knows there's danger in sending dragapult against flygon because of the other dragon's movesets, and he could have used mr. rime instead... but no, he made this decision and he will stick with it.
he held the title of champion for years and years, he's learned a lot.
secure in the fact that flygon's move wont have the attack bonus because of a lack of typing, leon directs his dragapult to use dragon darts as a counter.]
It's a bit strange, is all-- are you going to put Rotom away too? [it's fun, isn't it? to banter in the middle of a battle. it's... how long has it been, actually?] Should I find you a doctor? Maybe you want a listening ear, instead?
[Raihan knows to never underestimate Leon, too, and he never has. He'd learned his lesson long ago, when they first met, and Raihan thought he could easily beat the country bumpkin that was Leon. Never again, after that. Leon is the last person he would ever underestimate.
So, even though Raihan is confident in his choice of Flygon as his first and his opponent being Dragapult, he knows not to get too careless or cocky about it. The Dragon Darts hurt quite a bit, but Flygon can take it. In return, since Flygon's in close range, Raihan commands him to use Dragon Claw, something that definitely has the typing to back it up.]
Could ask the same of you! Who do you have to talk to all the way up here? League Staff? I get more engagement out of my Gym Trainers! [Those are practically his kids and all. They bug him to no end and he loves it.] Wanna cry on my shoulder? If you can even reach it!
[with a dark move then a dragon move, leon knows his dragapult is one move away from fainting, and he could choose between pulling the dragon out or relying on luck, that they both manage to get lucky and knock the flygon out first with a well-placed strike.
he has to buy himself time, and thus orders dragapult to use agility, go faster, dodge easier.
which may have been the right call, when raihan decides to punch below the metaphorical belt. leon has to shake his head, because while he hit the nail on the head... well, leon has to put up some resistance to that. matter of pride, that he was found out so easily.]
Oy, resorting to short jokes now, are we? Come on Raihan, that was a low blow and you know it-- are you jealous that I get to have a view every day?
[Agility, huh... another risky move, yet one that can pay off. Flygons as a species are masters of sandstorms, and all of the moves his own knows would never miss under normal circumstances. Still, there's a chance Flygon's next move could miss now that Agility is in play, which would leave him open. He might be able to take another Dragon Darts, though it would leave him in bad shape, though depending on his luck, it could take Flygon down in one hit, too.
Not much else Raihan can do except attack again. He hopes that with Flygon in close quarters, the next Crunch will land.
And on the other end of the spectrum: bingo. He knew that was it. Just as Flygon's a master of sandstorms, Leon's a master of deflecting and avoiding the subject. It's something one has to learn when you're followed by interviewers who want to know answers to questions you don't want to answer.
Thus, Raihan knows all about it, too. He's had to do the same thing multiple times. And with Leon only addressing the height part? Yeah. Deflect and avoid.]
What view? Building tops? Mate, I'll take the view from Hammerlocke's castle any day over this one! [He leans forward more in his stance, as if he were ready to leap forward and strike.] But wouldn't it be nice if you were there with me? Just the two of us along those walls, taking in the view of the Wild Area, talking about whatever comes to our minds? [And with another little playful sneer, because he doesn't want to strike too hard below that metaphorical belt:] If you can even see over the walls.
[It's funny, because Leon's not even short; next to Raihan himself, he's the tallest person he knows. But that's why they're so fun!]
[just as leon has a plan for his poor dragapult, raihan's words interrupt his entire thought process, and his brows furrow. being able to look out into the wild area... how long has it been again?
hell, how long has it been since he's been there? there's that massive mess of ballonlea's trees to the southwest, and the mountains of circhester, but he has trouble seeing the wild area from the battle tower. then, suddenly, he's filled with such an aching hunger that he cant help but ball his hands into fists.
trust raihan to really know where to hit.]
You're daydreaming, aren't you? Not even an imaginative one, mind. [leon finally gives his dragapult a break, and withdraws it to send out his seismitoad instead, with the order to use a bubblebeam.]
Why would we just look at it when we can be there?
[The bubblebeam is enough to take out Flygon, so Raihan gives him a break by calling him back to his ball. Flygon did well, making him and Leon be neck and neck like always. It's always such a rush, such a thrill, he loves it-
"-the greatest battle I've ever had!"
This isn't about him, shush.
He sends out Torkoal next, which might seem insane, a fire against water-type, but he has a plan. A risky one, but he'd never be where he is today without taking risks. Torkoal's drought ability makes the sandstorm halt, replacing it with harsh sunlight that already makes Raihan start to sweat. Water-type moves are weakened, though, which Raihan is counting on, and the Solar Beam he has Torkoal use is instant.
His brows raise from under his headband at Leon's suggestion, his already sharp smile growing. He's getting to Leon, and hey, it's the perfect set-up for the plan he has for after this battle (or the next; he'd definitely planned to do it earlier, but he just can't say no to a battle with Leon).]
Now we're getting somewhere. When's the last time you had a camping trip there, aye? You still got that tent of yours packed away? Your curry pot? Remember when we fought over who would set up camp, or who made the best curry?
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Most people, however, weren't Raihan. Most people weren't Leon's greatest rival, and rivals learn about each other in a way no one else does.
Raihan could see the tired look in Leon's eyes, the way he'd stare into space before snapping out of it, the texts that were either left on read or answered far too late, the way he'd pause, distracted, before giving an answer. The man was exhausted, likely from working too hard. Was the Chairman position too new, too different? Was he trying to clean Rose's mess too fast? Was it all of the above?
Well, Raihan wasn't about to let his rival work himself to death. Which is how he found himself at the Battle Tower, fighting his way to the top to get to Leon. Sure, he could take the easy way up, but why do that when he could have some amazing battles instead?
(The Tower really was a great idea -- a way to take something that was tied to Rose and turning it into something the people of Galar would enjoy. A way for trainers to fight in more accessible ways, and for a chance to fight Leon without such huge obstacles to pass. Raihan might have scoffed at some of the ideas Leon had, but it was really, truly good.)
Then, he reached the top, finally coming face to face with Leon. The battle was fierce, even with Leon's exhaustion playing a hand. It very nearly snagged Raihan a victory, if Leon hadn't gotten extremely lucky with a critical hit from Charizard.
He was glad for it anyway. A win when Leon wasn't at his best wouldn't be a true win at all.
Still, Raihan wiped his pout away as he strode forward, an energetic smile on his face even with the loss, and posed while his Rotom took a few selfies from different angles.]
Another loss, but I still look good, eh? [Now that he's reached Leon, Raihan lifts his arm, his Rotom flying into his hoodie pocket while he holds his hand out for Leon to shake.] Shame we didn't have a crowd watching this time around!
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so what does leon do when it's a bad day and trainers are unable to come to see him? he has work waiting for him. mountains of work that even if he were a machamp and had four arms, he'd have to burn the midnight oil some just to finish.
but this was great, and he feels less tired, now.]
Your need for your adoring public. [a gentle tease as he grasps raihan's hand.] Should I install some Rotom cameras around to keep you happy?
[an unspoken question: are you going to come around again?]
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[Which might sound like a rejection to that unspoken question, but Raihan's not finished, giving Leon's hand a firm squeeze before pulling his own away.]
The excitement of the crowd might be irreplaceable, but there's something about battling when it's just the two of us, yeah?
[so: yes, of course.]
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then he adjusts himself, returning his cap onto his head.]
All right-- no Rotom cameras. But to be nice to you, I'll let you keep using your phone. Come on, I'll even be in your selfie this time.
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Still. It's Leon. He makes it work by virtue of being him.
He gives a good-natured roll of his eyes, and his Rotom picks up on the unspoken cue to fly out of his pocket, hovering into a good position.]
The kindness of the new chairman knows no bounds. I'm humbled.
[He gives a sharp grin, all teasing. With that, he moves to Leon's side and slips an arm under his hair, holding him around the shoulders, and leans up against him. His free hand digs something out of his pocket: two small slips of paper, which he purposefully faces away from Leon for now.]
Aaaand smile!
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despite how much he misses the mantle, he does wish his successor all the luck, when there are so many eyes watching and examining every move and picking it all apart.
then he raises his fingers in a v-sign, just to silently brag that he won against raihan once again.]
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He just wishes Leon didn't do it now, when it's just the two of them, which points at something else being wrong. Hopefully, his plans will give him something more genuine to smile about.
With the selfies done, Raihan pockets the paper before Leon can notice them, then grabs that v-sign of Leon's with his free hand.]
Shut up. [Even though Leon didn't say anything. The gesture is loud enough.] But hey, that was a good one. You know my fans always go wild for the selfies with you in them.
[Some of Raihan's fans are Leon's fans, after all. Though... some very much are not. The comments get pretty chaotic on both ends when he poses with Leon.]
you didnt see that account fail
Why don't you take them more often after we battle, then? After I beat you, I mean. [even as he says that, his smiles are becoming more genuine. he's finally starting to relax after a few bad days, and all thanks to raihan and this pokemon battle.]
You've a few more free minutes in you? How about a round two after we take care of our Pokemon?
it's our secret
It's a rival thing.
Really.
It's fine.
At the prospect of another battle, Raihan blinks, and his pupils thin into slits while his irises seem to outright glow.]
I never say no to a challenge, especially from you, Leon! [With that said, Raihan pulls away, his grin sharp as he takes a few steps back.] This next selfie will be of my win against you!
[But, you know. First, gotta heal up his Pokemon.]
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so it's good that raihan's enjoying himself, and leon gives him a grin back as he works his arms and shoulders.]
You've only space for one tag on that selfie, and that's another defeat. You should use the break to think up of new strategies.
I'll even let you change up your team, if you want.
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Leon isn't everyone else, though.]
Look at you, talking all high and mighty. I think being up on the top floor's getting to your head a bit!
[It's hard to fully walk away, especially when it comes to exchanging trash talk with Leon, but he really does have to heal up his Pokemon and switch up his team. Thankfully, there's a healing station nearby, and soon enough, his Pokemon are in and ready to go.]
I never use the same strategy twice, not with you! You ought to come up with a counter while you're waiting over there, lest you want me dragging you through the mud!
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and, of course, he's not going to let raihan see who he brought on.]
Are you sure you can come up with something in just a few minutes' time? Planning anything fancy in your brain as we speak?
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He doesn't do the same for Leon, though, yeah?
He's been training for this for so long and some kid who barely had experience managed to do what he couldn't.
"The greatest battle I've ever had," huh? Some rival he turned out to be.
Hush. Now wasn't the time. But, man... Raihan could really use the thing he's planning, too, much as he denied it.]
You're talking to the top Gym Leader of Galar! As if I'd come up with anything that wasn't fancy!
[Wiping his insecurities from his mind, Raihan grins as he heads over to his side of the field.]
You're just lucky there's no crowd here to witness your defeat! Oh, but don't worry. I'll be sure to capture it on camera!
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[leon's smirk is teasing as he pats the balls on his belt, having chosen his team for this new round.]
I should just do it, I suppose-- especially since you'll be coming around more often, and staying longer. [he's rather sure of that, now that leon's established that raihan is welcome any time, and can stay for as long as he wants to. it would set his tower's schedule back a little... but then again, hardly anyone manages to make it all the way to the top to see him.]
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[His rotom flies out of his pocket at that, giving a quirky, electronic-sounding laugh as it flies above Raihan's shoulder. Once he reaches his side of the pitch, Raihan turns, one hand on his staring pokemon's ball.]
But maybe you should install them. Advertise a little more! You'd drum up more interest if you showed some fanservice! Then you won't be so lonely!
[He hadn't... quite meant to share that last thought aloud, but it's true. Leon does sound lonely, if he's so excited about Raihan sticking around (which he can't really do, as being a gym leader means his duty is to Hammerlocke). It stings a little, knowing that.]
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lonely, him?
he cant believe it.]
Och, no. How you've ever gotten that into your head, I haven't the foggiest.
[there's the denial.]
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[Maybe now isn't the best time, but he starts the battle regardless. His first is Flygon, whom he commands to cause a sandstorm right from the get go. At least Raihan's clothes are weather-resistant, and he's pretty used to sand getting everywhere these days.]
You're all by yourself up here! [He shouts to be heard over the winds of the storm.] Not many make it to the top, and if they don't, you bury yourself in work! You're exhausted, so you've definitely been going overtime with it. And I know I'm irresistible, but you're still going out of the way to get me to stay longer!
[Which, well, he likes to think it's for more reasons than that, but he knows better than to get his hopes up. (It happens anyway, because it be that way sometimes.)]
It's okay to admit, you know! Even the great Raihan gets lonely!
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Lonely, you? [except leon knows that's true-- he's merely giving his old friend the benefit of the doubt through jibes and jokes because raihan would never admit to that.
ever.]
Who're you, then? And what have you done with Raihan?
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He thinks it through a bit, some quick calculations. He could take the predictable route and use Dragon Claw against Dragapult, what with it being super effective. But he's also got Crunch, a dark-type move that's just as powerful and effective. Even still, Earthquake is a strong move that's even more devastating with a sandstorm...
Thinking it through, he roars out his first move.]
Flygon! Let the winds guide you! Bring that Dragapult to its knees with a Crunch!
[At his command, Flygon flies forward, his wings singing with the sand, his jaw open to carry out the order. Whether it hits or not, Raihan calls out to Leon again.]
It's just you and me here, mate! No crowd, no livestreaming, just us! [Indeed, his Rotom is more focused on taking dynamic pictures of both trainers and Pokemon than streaming anything.] I open up to you a little, and that's what I get?
[He teases too, and the grin on his face indicates that. He knows Leon isn't serious; they've been close friends on top of being rivals for forever now, they know how the other works. But still!]
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he held the title of champion for years and years, he's learned a lot.
secure in the fact that flygon's move wont have the attack bonus because of a lack of typing, leon directs his dragapult to use dragon darts as a counter.]
It's a bit strange, is all-- are you going to put Rotom away too? [it's fun, isn't it? to banter in the middle of a battle. it's... how long has it been, actually?] Should I find you a doctor? Maybe you want a listening ear, instead?
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So, even though Raihan is confident in his choice of Flygon as his first and his opponent being Dragapult, he knows not to get too careless or cocky about it. The Dragon Darts hurt quite a bit, but Flygon can take it. In return, since Flygon's in close range, Raihan commands him to use Dragon Claw, something that definitely has the typing to back it up.]
Could ask the same of you! Who do you have to talk to all the way up here? League Staff? I get more engagement out of my Gym Trainers! [Those are practically his kids and all. They bug him to no end and he loves it.] Wanna cry on my shoulder? If you can even reach it!
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he has to buy himself time, and thus orders dragapult to use agility, go faster, dodge easier.
which may have been the right call, when raihan decides to punch below the metaphorical belt. leon has to shake his head, because while he hit the nail on the head... well, leon has to put up some resistance to that. matter of pride, that he was found out so easily.]
Oy, resorting to short jokes now, are we? Come on Raihan, that was a low blow and you know it-- are you jealous that I get to have a view every day?
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Not much else Raihan can do except attack again. He hopes that with Flygon in close quarters, the next Crunch will land.
And on the other end of the spectrum: bingo. He knew that was it. Just as Flygon's a master of sandstorms, Leon's a master of deflecting and avoiding the subject. It's something one has to learn when you're followed by interviewers who want to know answers to questions you don't want to answer.
Thus, Raihan knows all about it, too. He's had to do the same thing multiple times. And with Leon only addressing the height part? Yeah. Deflect and avoid.]
What view? Building tops? Mate, I'll take the view from Hammerlocke's castle any day over this one! [He leans forward more in his stance, as if he were ready to leap forward and strike.] But wouldn't it be nice if you were there with me? Just the two of us along those walls, taking in the view of the Wild Area, talking about whatever comes to our minds? [And with another little playful sneer, because he doesn't want to strike too hard below that metaphorical belt:] If you can even see over the walls.
[It's funny, because Leon's not even short; next to Raihan himself, he's the tallest person he knows. But that's why they're so fun!]
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hell, how long has it been since he's been there? there's that massive mess of ballonlea's trees to the southwest, and the mountains of circhester, but he has trouble seeing the wild area from the battle tower. then, suddenly, he's filled with such an aching hunger that he cant help but ball his hands into fists.
trust raihan to really know where to hit.]
You're daydreaming, aren't you? Not even an imaginative one, mind. [leon finally gives his dragapult a break, and withdraws it to send out his seismitoad instead, with the order to use a bubblebeam.]
Why would we just look at it when we can be there?
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"-the greatest battle I've ever had!"
This isn't about him, shush.
He sends out Torkoal next, which might seem insane, a fire against water-type, but he has a plan. A risky one, but he'd never be where he is today without taking risks. Torkoal's drought ability makes the sandstorm halt, replacing it with harsh sunlight that already makes Raihan start to sweat. Water-type moves are weakened, though, which Raihan is counting on, and the Solar Beam he has Torkoal use is instant.
His brows raise from under his headband at Leon's suggestion, his already sharp smile growing. He's getting to Leon, and hey, it's the perfect set-up for the plan he has for after this battle (or the next; he'd definitely planned to do it earlier, but he just can't say no to a battle with Leon).]
Now we're getting somewhere. When's the last time you had a camping trip there, aye? You still got that tent of yours packed away? Your curry pot? Remember when we fought over who would set up camp, or who made the best curry?
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crawls back here
WELL HI
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sorry for the wait!