-Conquering the Champion-

Jirachi hovered above a pool in the forest room, the tags on its headdress twirling.

"What'cha doin'?"

The Pokémon looked up to see the always-smiling face of its closest friend, Celebi. "It's Clair."

"Huh?" The Time Travel Pokémon peered into the pool: within its clear depths was an image of a blue-haired girl. Her expression was one of genuine happiness and the striking woman she was with was reaching out to take her hand. "I remember her! Lord Arceus is still pretty sore about you letting her go."

"The delicate balance has to be maintained."

The pair watched as the Trainers boarded an odd human machine and zipped away, through the crowded cluster of human abodes.

"… I don't get it."

"Get what?"

Celebi reached up and tugged at one of its antennae. "What's so special about this human?"

"She's pure of heart."

"Huh?"

Jirachi shook its head. "Those pure of heart are very rare among humans. I am a granter of wishes, so I can sense the desires that drive the actions of others."

"I know that!" Celebi interrupted indignantly. "Don't treat me like a child."

"Sorry." Again, Jirachi shook its head. Sometimes, it couldn't believe that the other Pokémon was hundreds of years old. "Where was I? Ah. Most humans are full of ill intent. Hidden agendas lie behind every act and they twist their words to fit the moment. This human, Clair, is not like that. She is unafraid to open her heart to others and, when she does, she does so without fear of regret."

"Oh…"

"Yes. It is hearts like Clair's that purge the Darkness from the hearts of others. Her aura is so strong because she has the potential to affect even Pokémon."

"Is that why Lord Arceus was so mad?"

"Arc stubbornly believes that we cannot rely on humans to save our kind from their own. He believes that the call of Darkness is too great."

Celebi frowned. "I don't think humans are so bad."

"No, they aren't," Jirachi agreed. "For the most part."

They turned their attention back to the pool, watching as the Trainers dismounted from their metal beast.

"What about her mate?"

"Who?"

Celebi pointed at the blonde human. "Her. The human Clair was looking for."

The Wish Pokémon frowned slightly. "Cynthia, I believe. Her heart is still incredibly fragile from the last time it was broken. There is still hope for her, however. Just like the forest, a heart flourishes only when under the correct conditions. It needs to love just as much as it is loved. Those two are good for each other."

The pool's surface showed the Trainers smiling at one another before a dozen flashing lights, their love for another showing clearly in their gazes. The bluette leaned in and whispered something in Cynthia's ear and the blonde laughed joyously.

"So long as she is with Clair, her heart will mend."

"I like happy endings," Celebi sighed.

"Me too."

Ever since the Sinnoh League Champion and the Blackthorn City Gym Leader had come out to the public, both young women had been the topic of conversations world-wide; Cynthia had been stunned by the support she had received from her adoring fans and the simple act of acceptance had helped undo years of psychological damage by Helene.

It was tiring being interviewed—interrogated in some cases—and hounded, but Clair had never been happier. The two had been on the road for almost a month together, investigating ruins and rumors, but now responsibility was catching up to the both of them and it was time to return to their respective homes.

But she knew they'd return to each other soon enough.

"Cynthia?"

"Mm?"

The blonde was spooned behind her, her bare skin like silk against Clair's. The hotel they were staying in was small and out of the way, so they finally had a moment to themselves. Raynor was curled at the foot of the bed like a proper loyal pooch—he had refused to leave her side since the incident.

"I love you."

A warm, affectionate chuckle. "I love you too, sweetheart."

The bluette rested her arms over the ones wrapped around her waist. "Stay with me?"

How far she had come.

"Always," the Champion promised.

"Mmkay…" She sounded sleepy and she snuggled closer to her partner.

Clair had conquered her fears and released her heart from the agonizing doubts that had gripped it. The muscle was picking up the pieces and stitching itself together and it was all thanks to the beautiful young woman.

Yes, Cynthia's heart would mend. It was only a matter of time.

And they had all the time in the world… Together.

-Fin-

Wooot! I finished two long fics this month. I'm on fire. You know what this means, right?

-sparkle- Time to work on requests! –sparkle-

I'd like to thank everyone who stuck with me from chapter one and reviewed every chapter. You know who you are ;) And, of course, my beautiful beta, Luna Rei. Thanks, babe! :heart:

Anyone who recognized the Pokémon Colosseum reference gets a cookie.