Shauntal sat comfortably beside Lucian as they were together in his living room. She had her Rotom laptop on her lap while she leaned into his shoulder as he read. With the holidays around the corner, Iris gave her Elites the gift of allowing them to travel wherever they wanted to for a month.
Though it was a lovely gift that would give them a chance to recharge for the new year; many knew it was because she was under the weather and was having a hard time shaking it off. She didn’t want anyone else to catch whatever sickness she had. Not wanting to bore her Elites in Unova, she gave them permission to travel with hopes of her feeling well by the time they came back.
Marshal traveled to Hoenn, as he worked out things to stay with Steven. Grimsley left for Kanto, as he had a lover who was eager to see him home for the holidays. Shauntal and Caitlin, however, both went to the Sinnoh region. Caitlin, being close friends with Cynthia, stayed with her, and Shauntal was welcomed with open arms by Lucian.
Shauntal was happy to know that he didn’t mind her staying with him. When she explained her situation, she showed sympathy for her Champion and confirmed that she wasn’t sick herself. It was a mandatory requirement for her and Caitlin to check into a hospital before going anywhere else. Thankfully, they both were clear to go.
Lucian understood that it was best that she stay with him and she was grateful to be welcomed within his home. Much to his Psychic Pokemon’s dismay, however, she also brought her Ghost Types with her. Shauntal wasn’t going to leave them in her room or the Pokemon Center for a month. That would be cruel.
At first, they seemed to be doing just fine. However, not all was well between the Psychics and Ghosts.
Laying on the floor, Lucian’s Espeon sat by his feet as the lovers enjoyed their solitude. Once in a while though, a book or two would shift off a nearby shelf. A soft ‘thud’ of a book would rouse the sleepy Pokemon. At first, he thought it was just because the shelf became uneven. So he thought nothing of it and used his powers to slip the book back onto the shelf.
But when another three followed after, he was immediately on all fours. A low growl could be heard from the Pokemon. In front of the bookcase, Gengar appeared for a moment to stick her tongue out at him before cackling as she disappeared.
Without looking up from his book, Lucian gave a soft sigh, “It seems our Pokemon are at it again.”
Shauntal looked up from her writing as she saw Gengar further taunt Espeon, cackling as she stuck her tongue out again. She seemed to be quite the energetic ghost this evening.
“I can see that. What if we let them fight it out?”
Lucian turned to Shauntal, “Excuse me?”
She closed her laptop, setting it aside, “Obviously not here. There’s a battle area nearby, right?”
A slow grin formed over his lips, “I believe so. Shauntal, are you challenging me to a battle?”
Shauntal gave him a rare cheeky grin, tapping her right cheek, “Maybe I am. Afraid of a little friendly competition, Lucian?”
He closed his book, setting it on a nearby stand before rising from his seat, “Not at all, my lady. I do hope you know that I won’t be holding back. I do have a reputation to uphold.”
Leaning up on her toes, she stole a quick kiss from him.
“I would be disappointed if you did.” She felt around in her dress pockets and reached for Gengar’s Pokeball. “C’mon you troublemaker, let’s go.”
Groaning from the loss of fun, the ghost was pulled back into her capsule.
Lucian did the same for Espeon, who seemed far more relieved than annoyed. He then took hold of Shauntal’s hand and led her to an indoor battle area that was about a block away from his home. It was a place where many of the Elite in Sinnoh trained their own Pokemon, ensuring that their partners were at the top of their game before any challengers came to run the gauntlet before going against Cynthia.
If anyone outside of the League knew that they were having a battle here, he had a feeling that the media would be all over the place. For once, he was glad that it was so late for them to have this battle.
Shauntal placed her hands on her hips, showing her confidence as an Elite Ghost Type Specialist.
“Remember, we aren’t doing this to prove anything. Our goal is just to wear out our Pokemon so they can actually rest for once.” She gave him a silly grin, “Still, I’m excited to show you what I can do!”
Seeing her display such a pose warmed his heart. For months, she had been showing doubts about her status and abilities as a Ghost Type Trainer. With her being the first Elite that trainers encounter, she voiced how she didn’t think she was strong enough and how she might not be worthy of her rank.
Seeing her now, proud and confident; made him smile with pride. That wouldn’t stop him from going all out on her though.
He placed a hand on his own hip, releasing his Espeon as a soft chuckle left his lips, “Of course. This may be a mock battle, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll go easy on you. Are you ready, my love?”
Reaching for her Pokeball, she released her Gengar. Once she was on the field, she started to snicker, sticking his tongue out at Espeon – who in turn, growled at her.
“That’s quite enough from the two of you.” Shauntal grumbled, “I know you guys aren’t happy with each other but you’ll need to deal with this arrangement for a month.”
Hearing Shauntal’s words made Gengar cackle, holding her stomach as she showed off her devious grin. Espeon turned his head towards Lucian, a visage of distress as if to look to him for confirmation of her words.
Lucian shrugged his shoulders, offering his dear partner a sympathetic smile, “I’m afraid it’s true. You may not like it but that’s the arrangement.”
He looked across the room to where Shauntal was, “If the future has anything to say about Shauntal and I’s relationship, it may soon become more than that.”
For a moment, Shauntal lost her composure. A dark heated flush claimed her cheeks as she shifted in place. “That would be nice,” she muttered softly.
The thought of them being married made her heart flutter. She’d have to commute between Sinnoh and Unova but at the end of the day, she would have a chance to be in his arms. She would be lying if she didn’t dream of the day that they were past dating and were solidified as an official couple.
She had to shake her head a little though, as her Pokemon was still being obnoxious. Patting her cheeks, she resumed her former stance. She had to make sure that her Gengar wasn’t causing any more destructive damage to Lucian’s gorgeous home.
“Alright Gengar, since you seem to be full of energy, why don’t we start things off?”
Her Gengar tapped her haunting claws against the floor, waiting with excited anticipation for her first order.
“Gengar, use Shadow Ball!”
Cackling with a toothy grin, she raised her claws in the air as a dark ball of energy formed in between her claws. Crimson hues from the ghost gave a sinister glow as she was given permission to attack the other Pokemon.
“Espeon, use Light Screen!”
Lucian shifted his stance as his partner quickly raised a magical barrier between himself and the attack aimed in his direction. He almost didn’t have enough time to react to that attack. They only just started and Shauntal’s partner was making him sweat. He didn’t see how she could be so nervous about her abilities.
Well, at least she was keeping him on his toes. She was proving to be quite the talented Trainer. He could see how she was promoted to an Elite. A ruthless trainer honing the power of the specialty she represented in the Unova League. A small smirk played along his lips, chuckling softly.
“To think you were so nervous about your rank, my dear. I’m just barely able to keep up with you.”
Shauntal shifted her glasses, giving him a small grin. “I’ve been doing my best to train and get better. Not just for myself, but for my Pokemon too.”
“I certainly see the fruits of your labor. Though, it probably isn’t wise to let a near victory get to your head. We’re not finished yet!” Offering a sly smirk, Lucian gave his Espeon yet another command.
Using his ‘Psychic’ ability, Espeon was able to get a hit on Gengar, but it didn’t seem to have too much of an effect on her.
Shauntal gave him yet another cheeky grin as she gave a pose on the other end of the field, a hand on her hip as the other raised stretched out as she recited commentary on their battle.
“ ‘Though the odds seemed to be in his favor, the dear Espeon’s plot to topple the specter from her looming stance. For her caretaker was always prepared for those that challenged her prowess. A belt of power embraced the specter, granting her power to take the blow and remain on her feet. Now with the tables turning in her favor – it was time for the graceful specter to show her rival why so many feared her unsavory greedy grin from within the shadows!’ ”
Gengar gave Espeon a wider grin, cackling louder as she sank into the floor. Shauntal noted the rather nervous look on Lucian’s face. This certainly didn’t bode well for his Pokemon.
Espeon frantically looked around him. Left, right, down…he couldn’t see anything until it was too late. Raising up from the ground behind him, Gengar floated up several feet, jaws opened wide.
“Now is the perfect opportunity! Let’s go Gengar, Dark Pulse!”
A massive amount of dark energy poured from her claws, raining over Espeon. Caught by surprise, Espeon didn’t have time to shield himself or dodge the attack.
After a few seconds when Gengar finished attacking, he swayed before falling onto the ground, knocking out.
A defeated sigh leaves Lucian’s lips as he returns his partner back to his Pokeball.
“Well that was unexpected, but I commend you for your valiant skills, Shauntal.”
She returns her Gengar, who now seemed a little more calm after using a great amount of her energy and taking that psychic hit.
Shauntal gave him a proud smile, giggling as she placed her hands on her hips, “Thank you for humoring me, Lucian. This was a wonderful source of material for my next novel.”
He gave her a small smile, “You’re very welcome, my dear. Hopefully, those two have learned their lesson and won’t fight anymore, or at least for now.”
Walking across the field, Shauntal met Lucian halfway. It was tradition, not in just challenges, but in a spar, to give your opponent a handshake. All for the sake of good sportsmanship. She offers a hand to him as they shake for a moment.
“Let’s do this again sometime. I think it would be great practice and training.”
“I agree. You certainly kept me on my toes. Now, I believe I’m supposed to give you something but I’m afraid there is only one thing I have in mind for you.”
Still holding her hand, Lucian took a knee as he watched a shocked expression contort over her facial features. He took out a small red box as he kept his gaze on her.
“We’ve been together for nearly three years and I don’t think I see myself finding happiness with anyone else. You are all the joy I could ever want or desire. I would be honored if you would grant me permission to be at your side for the rest of our days. Shauntal, would you marry me?”
As he asked the question, he opened the box to see a ring with a silver band that was decorated with purple and pink gems, a singular diamond in the middle between the two to create a makeshift yin and yang sign on the design.
Shauntal, despite being completely shocked, was having a difficult time not crying. As much as she loved the idea of staying with him, there was a faint thought in the back of her mind that told her he was just teasing the idea earlier. But to see him on his knee, holding her hand as he poured his heart out to her?
What could she say except for the obvious?
“Oh..Lucian, yes! I-I’d be honored to!”
She quickly tackles him into a tight embrace, nearly pushing him over as she holds him. Sobbing into his shoulder, Lucian ran his hand over her back in hopes of helping her calm down. After a few minutes, she pulled back so she could remove her left glove. Holding her hand out to him, he slips the ring on her hand. He then gently places a soft kiss along her knuckles.
“I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my days with you. The next couple of months may be a little chaotic and it seems like we both need to speak with our superiors, well..I need to speak to mine again.”
Shauntal tilted her head at him, “ ‘Speak to again..?’ “
He breathed out a soft chuckle, “Yes. I’m afraid Cynthia managed to lure the words of my plans to propose to you after we learned that you and Caitlin were coming to visit for a while.”
“Ah, okay. Oh . . .wait. Does that mean Caitlin knows already?”
“It’s possible, yes.”
Shauntal just leans her head against his chest. “Great, this is going to be a headache.”
Lucian leaned over to gently kiss her forehead. “We can worry about others in the morning. For now, why don’t we head back home, hm?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
Standing up from the floor, Lucian once again offered his hand to Shauntal and she accepted with glee. There was more of a skip to her step as they walked back to his home. She was going to get married! She could hardly believe it. Her heart was skipping several beats every time she looked over at the handsome gentleman beside her. Soon they would be starting a new chapter together and she was eager to see what the future had in store for them.