Episode One: Sinnoh's Rising Star

Volo returns from his retirement from the Little Cup League with a new contestant, his Cleffa, Twinklestar.

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Today was Cleffa’s big day. She spun circles around Volo’s feet, singing and dancing from excitement. He smiled tenderly at her, lifting her up and into his hands. 

It was time to register.

He certainly did not look the part. Most of the other entrants to the Little Cup were very peppy, nicely dressed and cutesy, each matching the behavior of their Pokémon. Volo was the tallest person in line, looming like a shadow. His skin was pale, eyes hooded with dark circles, shocking against such white skin. He looked sickly; the large, dark jacket he wore was tattered, and its heavy hood obscured the sides of his face. His long, blond bangs covered one of his eyes, unruly hair tied back into a bun.

Still, Cleffa looked upon him as though he were the most gentle of guardians. He tickled her a little, whispering to Cleffa softly.

“Okay, Twinklestar, let’s show them what we’ve got!” 

The other guests at registration couldn’t help but stare when his thick black boots crunched against the polished floor. The smiling staff paled when his rough voice barely answered their questions, his sharp intensity unmatched.

“Can you… sign this?” A blonde receptionist looked at him with confusion, handing him a clipboard.

He set Cleffa onto the table that was covered in ribbons and streamers, moving the shiny helium balloons out of the way so he could quickly fill out his information before turning away as fast as possible.

He scooped up his Cleffa, nuzzling against her when she reached out for a hug.

“Sir!” They called out to him but he had vanished, eager to head in closer to the arena. 

☆。*。☆。

★。＼｜／。★

The Little Cup arena looked more like a playground, with soft pastel, plush tiles and a variety of equipment that also doubled as toys. Giant stuffies of substitutes lined the stadium. A sizable crowd watched from behind pink gates, perched in the bleachers along with their Pokémon. The entire festival was being recorded and broadcast out to all the regions of the world.

Volo watched the other contestants closely, studying their choices of moves, thinking the vast majority had no clue what they were doing. The Little Cup was an underrated avenue for competitive engagement. Mastery in training was required of all participants. 

Volo had bred this Cleffa himself, raising her from since she was born to be the very best she could be. He loved her dearly. She was proud of herself, eager to show Volo how well her training with Volo’s other Pokémon had paid off. Volo had used his prized Togekiss to instruct her on her quest to become the second Little Cup champion on Volo’s team.

It was finally Volo’s time to shine. His name was called by the excited announcer, a long line of lights in the floor shining against the frilly and fluffy landscape. Volo followed them to his side of the arena. His opponent would be called soon.

Cleffa and Volo wagged their fingers in unison, the cameras capturing the culmination of their most important element of training—mastery of Metronome. Cleffa jumped to do it in time with Volo, singing happily when he laughed with affection for her.

“In the left corner, we have Volo! This eccentric character is finally out of retirement! You may remember him from six years ago when his Togepi was crowned champion of the Little Cup League!” 

Volo was not as gentle to the audience, looking up as though exhausted as soon as a camera came too close to his face. He made no effort to disguise the disgust on his features.

“Volo is here today with his hopeful Cleffa, Twinklestar!” Cleffa puffed out her cheeks and tried to look really tough. “Give it up for Twinklestar, everyone!”

The audience cheered. Cleffa kept trying to look really buff, but she couldn’t help but blush at all the attention.

When the cameras turned to the right corner, tall bright yellow plastic doors bursting open, Volo smiled again at Cleffa, giving her a thumbs up.

“You got this, honey!” He beamed with warmth, proud of her regardless of the outcome.

Cleffa dragged her foot against the ground, blushing, looking up at him with pleading eyes as she swayed back and forth.

With great fanfare, Volo’s opponent emerged, encouraging the audience by fanning his arms, waving like he were a friendly royal king.

“Hellooooo Sinnoh~!”

Who else could it be but Leon, the undefeated Galar champion. He struck his signature pose for the cameras, his partner Charmander running around his feet, eager to look as cool and talented as it felt Leon did. Leon’s heavy cape was covered in logos and emblems, and it rippled in the breeze while he held the pose.

Volo rolled his eyes at all the pageantry, thinking it was so over the top. Cleffa gasped, putting her paws to her lips, looking back and forth at Volo and Leon in a way that meant: Can you believe this!?

Volo gave her a reassuring look before he returned to apathy at being addressed by his opponent, his new rival, Leon.

“Volo’s opponent needs no introduction, folks! You know him, you love him—in the right corner is Galar’s beloved champion, Leon! He’s here today with his feisty Charmander, Charcoal!” Charmander wagged its tail, its flame burning brighter while it tried to frighten Cleffa with its teeth. “Will he claim the crown of the Little Cup!?”

Leon flashed a smile at Volo but it quickly sank away from his features when he locked on to Volo’s frighteningly fierce eyes.

“Uh… Nice to meet you?” Leon’s eyebrows furrowed. He laughed at this strange character and the Cleffa that had gone back to putting on quite the performance of how tough she was, stomping her feet into the ground like she were mimicking a Gigantamax Charizard.

Volo didn’t acknowledge him, staring off into the bleachers as though they contained something far more interesting.

Leon shrugged, shaking his head. He bent down to give his Charmander a high five before the countdown began.

“Good luck, Volo!” Leon adjusted his cap, beaming his handsome smile despite Volo’s coldness.

Volo sneered.

“Ready?” The announcer called, both Pokémon taking fighting stances. “Go!”

It was on. Cleffa leapt forwards, ready to meet the tough Charmander head on. Charmander was a little shocked by her bravery, missing her with the embers that burst from his maw.

Cleffa used her Baby-Doll Eyes move to send Charmander’s defenses plummeting. Charmander watched her with a new affection, charmed right away by her determination. The audience laughed when Cleffa hit him with a quick Pound, restoring him to his senses.

Volo called out commands, guiding Cleffa—although she didn’t need much guidance at all. She was ready for this, prepared for this from the day that she’d been given her name, Twinklestar.

Leon called for his Charmander. “Scratch, Charcoal!”

Charmander nodded, rushing towards Cleffa, smoke fuming from his nostrils.

“Twinklestar!” Volo called, warning her. “It’s time to use our special move!”

Cleffa beamed. She was excited to show off her powers to everyone.

Charmander bounded towards her, his heavy footsteps shaking her where she stood. Still, she did it carefully, wagging her finger back and forth to cast Meterome. 

“Wow! Metronome!” The announcer was as shocked as the audience. “I wonder what move will emerge from this risky choice!”

Volo grinned. Leon winced, instructing Charmander to move back but he was determined on landing his Scratch.

Cleffa began to glow, harnessing the magical powers within her. She chirped and the move came to her. 

Bubble Beam!

The crowd cheered as tiny little Cleffa wielded an ideal move, the one with a perfect type advantage. Twinkling bubbles glittered as they rushed to cover Charmander.

It was just a few moments and then Charmander's knees buckled, sending him collapsing to the ground as he fainted, tongue lolling out of his muzzle. 

“And there you have it! Cleffa wins this round, folks!” The announcer called it. Volo cheered the loudest of everyone.

Cleffa rushed back to his arms, jumping into the air. He twirled her around, his arms fully extended. Confetti burst from the ceiling.

“You did it, Twinklestar!” Volo praised her. “I knew you could! Let’s keep it up for round two!”

Twinklestar had never been so happy in all her life.

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Episode Two: Leon Won't Quit!

Our friend Leon happens upon Volo and Cleffa, who pretend to not enjoy their company...

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After a few more battles and the paperwork that followed, Volo found himself waiting around the arena as the event halted momentarily for a break for both contestants, their Pokémon, and portions of staff. Annoyed by the crowd that was gathering to linger and make idle chit-chat amongst the playground furniture, Volo left through the narrow valleys between the raised bleacher stands, with little Twinklestar nestled in his arms. She was trying desperately to have her afternoon nap but, like her trainer, was not accustomed to such social turbulence.

Volo made an attempt to shield her under his thick scarf but it didn’t make much of a difference for her. 

He made an effort to go against the grain of traffic and crowds, slowing his pace after they’d lost most of the trainers and would-be Little Cup celebrities. Volo was grateful that the way he was holding his scarf to shield Twinklestar meant that most didn’t recognize him or try to pull him into conversation—perhaps they knew better.

Volo found himself ducking into a quiet room. There were still a few people scattered about, but enough for Volo to feel unobserved. He set Cleffa down on the padded, puzzle tile flooring, sitting cross legged with her. She yawned, taking the task of finding the right spot on Volos scarf that he’d laid out on the floor for her to have her nap on very seriously. She finally found the warmest spot, or the spot of his scarf that had the best color, and was sound asleep in less than twenty seconds.

Volo sighed, staring out the large windows in between lines of trainers’ manuals and archives that filled dozens of the bookshelves around them. There were toys—or equipment—scattered all around them in an excited chaos. It seemed a few other trainers had a similar idea to try to help their more finicky Pokémon here, as there was a young girl on the opposite side of Volo trying to reason with her Psyduck, nursing him with her water bottle.

The doors clattered open, and every head turned towards them, including Volo’s—although he was certainly the most frustrated. Twinklestar’s eyes fluttered open momentarily before she made a tiny sound and turned away from the commotion only to fall asleep again.

“Volo!” It was Leon, his arms full with something he’d had to have bought from vendors. Volo was sure Leon would be waving if he wasn’t so occupied. “Fancy seeing you here!”

Volo didn’t have to answer. While he stared blankly, Leon made long strides towards him, plopping down on the floor beside Volo and Cleffa. His Charmander sat down on its thick haunches, drooling when Leon began unwrapping his packages of sandwiches.

“Good game we played, huh?” Leon beamed. He quieted his voice a little when he noticed Cleffa puff her cheeks grumpily.

Volo didn’t answer, trying his best to communicate all of his displeasure at his new guest through his facial expressions alone.

“We should play again sometime!” Leon cracked off a thick piece of his sandwich and handed it to Charmander who scarfed it down eagerly. “It’s hard to find good competition.”

Volo sighed. Leon wasn’t going anywhere.

Leon took a big bite of his steak sandwich, tearing into it with his teeth. Volo stared at his own hands, feigning that he was busy, smoothing the folds in his scarf. 

Against his will, Volo’s stomach growled. 

Leon swallowed. He cracked off a piece of his sub and offered it to Volo. “Don’t let yourself go hungry, man!”

Volo viewed the gesture with disgust. His cheeks were slightly pink from the display of vulnerability. He reasoned to himself that he could just take some of it—besides, it would probably make Leon leave faster. Volo took what was offered to him.

Leon was quiet, smiling gently at the acceptance of his gesture of kindness. 

The pair ate in silence, Charmander yawning loudly before crawling towards where Cleffa slept so he could nap too. Twinklestar grumbled and scooted away from him, only to scoot herself back once she felt how warm Charmander was as he slept. By the time that Volo and Leon finished their lunch, the two Pokémon were back to back.

Leon leaned his head back. His thick cape fell to the floor and nearly blanketed him. Satisfied, he closed his eyes. Volo had to admit that he felt a lot better now that he’d eaten, even if it wasn’t something he’d planned on doing.

“That really hit the spot…” Leon sighed, turning his attention back to Volo. “Steak really is the best. What did you think?”

Volo hesitated for a moment, his fingers preoccupied with the loose threads in the fabric of his patterned scarf. “Steak tastes better served raw.”

Leon paused to make sure he heard right, and then he laughed so loud that the girl with the problematic Psyduck turned to shush him. Leon’s hands clutched his sides as he tried and failed to contain his giddy laughter.

“Yeah, raw! That’s a good one, buddy!”

Volo blinked. He wasn’t joking.

“You know, you’re really funny.” Leon clapped Volo firmly on the shoulder. Volo winced at the invasion but accepted it anyway. “And look at our little guys, they get along so well!”

Volo watched as Twinklestar slept peacefully against Charmanders back. Charmander snored loudly, his tail curled around the length of Cleffa’s tiny body.

He didn’t say it out loud, but even he had to admit that they really did.