Darkest Light [Steven x Tori Fic]

Part 1: The Champion's Battle

After treading her way through her fights; Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake... Her voice grew hoarse from shouting to her Pokémon. Her hands were calloused from tightly gripping her pokéballs throughout her fights. A bead of sweat fell down Tori's forehead as she stood with her feet firmly planted on the ground, an austere stare piercing her opponent's eyes. 

"... Years of training has led to this moment. Steven... Prepare yourself! I'm not going to go easy on you! The Champion's title will be mine!" 

The young woman, normally reserved and quiet, passionately shouted. She wiped her wrist across her forehead and gave him an intimidating stare before tossing her pokéball out, releasing Wednesday the shiny Camerupt. It was clear that her previous fights had taken a toll on her. The attentive champion then smirked, pulling out his pokéball in response. 

"Is that so? Then let us fight, love~ May the best trainer win!"

Steven replied, his smooth voice uttering a light English accent. The exhausted trainer's cheeks reddened immensely, she grew flustered just at the sound of the handsome man's voice. Tori gritted her teeth and pointed forward, her brows furrowing intensely. 

"Tch... F-Fine! Wednesday, use earthquake!" 

The woman's passionate words sparked an exciting fire behind Steven's eyes. It was one that he had forgotten for quite some time, after tediously fighting trainers day after day. The handsome champion grinned before tossing out his pokéball, releasing his Claydol. A heated battle had commenced; the Pokémon's powerful attacks lit up the normally dark room, and it wracked Steven's nerves.

'Surely this woman isn't going to beat me!'

He thought, more excited than he was nervous, despite losing the intense fight. He wiped his wrist across his forehead as he pointed forward, calling forth a new Pokémon to hopefully conquer the fight. 

But move after move, sweat continued to fall down his face, which felt abnormally warm. Her Pokémon and their unexpected strength became too much to bear as the realization hit him hard. 

'... I'm going to lose.'

Then, came Tori's last attack, the final blow: her previously recalled shiny Camerupt, Wednesday, approached the field, and slammed its hoof into the ground with a mighty earthquake. Steven's Metagross shook after the intense attack, then closed its eyes. It was then that the massive Pokémon fell onto the cracked ground. Fisting his hands, Steven panted and withdrew his Pokémon with lidded eyes. 

"..."

Silent, he minimized the size of the pokéball in his hand and placed it into his pocket. His bright blue eyes traveled toward the equally tired woman. Steven was utterly shocked. He looked down at the battered, broken floor, before sighing softly. 

"Well... This was unexpected. I, the Champion, fall into defeat..."

He admitted while a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Steven stepped forward, a hand out for her to shake. Tori withdrew her Camerupt with a satisfied grin, excited to shake his hand... but he didn't let go. Steven's gaze pierced hers as he gazed down at the shorter woman, and his smirk widened. 

"But alas, please allow me the pleasure to show you the Hall of Fame~"

Steven playfully winked, a dark shade of red was quick to grow across Tori's cheeks as she opened her mouth to speak. Before she could utter any words, he excitedly tugged her toward the door across the room. Tori's eyes peered down at his pale hand as he held hers in a surprisingly strong grip. She simply chuckled. Steven swiftly held his free hand out to open large door, revealing a machine in the middle of the room.