Night had long fallen over Indigo Plateau. The noise of celebration had faded, replaced by the soft hum of the wind against the glass walls of the League complex. The moonlight poured in through the wide hospital window, painting the room in pale silver.
Tharion stood quietly at the entrance of the League's medical wing, the automated doors sliding open with a faint hiss. His expression was unreadable — calm on the surface, but his eyes betrayed the weight of the storm inside.
He'd left Nina asleep back at the League villa, protected and watched by his Pokémon and hers. Charizard slept curled near the window; Lucario was meditating silently outside, sensing every heartbeat in the area. Luxray and Tyranitar guarded the door while Haunter floated lazily near the ceiling, keeping watch.
Only after making sure she was safe had Tharion come here.To her.
Selene lay quietly on the hospital bed, her silver hair falling loosely over the pillow. The faint light of the monitor reflected in her soft features. She looked peaceful — too peaceful for someone who had just lived through the same storm of memories he had.
Tharion stood by her bedside, his fingers tightening slightly around the crescent pendant he now realized matched the one in his dream — the same one he had given her long ago, in another world that no longer existed.
He exhaled. "Selene…"
Her eyelids fluttered. Slowly, she stirred. When her gaze met his, it wasn't the same girl he'd met during the League — it was someone who remembered everything. Someone who knew.
Her voice trembled as she whispered, "You're here… I thought I was dreaming again."
Tharion gave a faint smile. "You're not dreaming. Not this time."
A long silence followed — not uncomfortable, but heavy, filled with things words struggled to express.
Finally, she broke it. "I saw everything again. The fire, the war… the way the sky burned. You tried to save me."
Tharion looked away, his jaw tightening. "I couldn't. I wasn't strong enough."
Her hand moved weakly, reaching for his. "You were. You always were. You… gave me that pendant before it all ended. You said that if there was another life, you'd find me again."
His eyes softened. "And I did."
She smiled faintly, a tear slipping down her cheek. "You kept your promise."
Tharion pulled a chair beside her bed and sat down, his tone lowering to something raw and human."I kept searching even when I didn't remember why. Every time I saw the moon, I felt like something — someone — was waiting. I didn't understand it until I saw you on that stage."
Her expression softened. "And I felt it too. The moment I looked at you, I… remembered everything my heart never forgot."
They sat there in quiet stillness. Outside, the city lights of Indigo Plateau shimmered like stardust.
Selene slowly shifted, sitting up with effort. "Do you ever think… maybe this world is our second chance?"
Tharion nodded. "Maybe. But this time, we don't let it burn."
A small smile touched her lips — the same one she'd had all those years ago, before the war. "Then promise me again. That no matter what happens, we'll protect this world together."
He reached forward, his hand gently brushing hers. "I promise, Selene."
Their auras resonated faintly — the air around them rippling with the familiar pulse of something divine. Their bond, once shattered by death, now restored by fate itself.
Lucario's aura flickered faintly outside the door, as if acknowledging the reunion. Even across worlds, the souls of his kind understood connections deeper than words.
Selene glanced toward the moonlit window. "The others don't know, do they?"
Tharion shook his head. "No. And they won't. Not until it's time."
She gave a small nod, understanding. "Then until that day comes… we fight side by side again."
He stood, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Rest now. Tomorrow, the world will look at us as League champions. But tonight…" — his tone softened — "we're just Tharion and Selene. Two souls who finally found their way back."
She smiled, eyes closing as the exhaustion took her.And before she drifted into sleep, she whispered,"I'm glad you found me again."
Tharion lingered a moment longer, watching her breathing steady, her aura calm and warm. Then, quietly, he turned and walked out into the moonlight corridor, the crescent pendant gleaming faintly in his hand.
He looked toward the horizon — the moon high above, full and radiant.His heart finally at peace.
Yet somewhere deep within, he knew:If fate had given them a second chance… it was because a new storm was already beginning to stir.
The sun rose softly over the Indigo Plateau, its golden light spilling through the curtains of the League's medical wing. The faint rhythmic hum of medical monitors and the gentle chirps of Pokémon outside marked the start of a new day.
Tharion opened his eyes slowly. He had spent the night seated on the chair beside Selene's bed, one arm resting on the edge, his black jacket draped loosely around his shoulders. His Gyarados's Poké Ball rested in his hand, faintly glowing blue as if resonating with his emotions.
A soft sound drew his attention — Selene stirred. Her silver hair caught the morning light, her eyes fluttering open. For a moment, there was confusion, then clarity — and a small, tired smile.
"...You stayed," she whispered.
Tharion nodded slightly. "Couldn't leave. You passed out right after the match. You scared everyone."
She let out a faint laugh. "And still… you won."
Tharion shook his head. "Barely. If your Dragonite had lasted another second, my Gyarados would've been the one collapsing."
They shared a quiet moment, the unspoken memories of their past life flickering in both their eyes — the burning skies, the world that fell, the promise that was never fulfilled.
Selene looked at him seriously. "So, it really was you… from back then."
Tharion's expression softened. "Yeah. I didn't want to believe it at first. But after that dream, after seeing you again… it all came rushing back."
She clenched her bedsheet slightly. "And this world… it's like a second chance. A world where we're not soldiers or gods. Just… trainers."
Tharion looked out the window, where distant cheers echoed from the League plaza below. "A chance to live again. To make different choices."
Their eyes met — a silent understanding passing between them. Whatever they were once — enemies, allies, something deeper — that didn't matter now.
By late morning, both Tharion and Selene were cleared by the League physicians. The Indigo League's grand auditorium was already filled to capacity — banners of Tharion's team waved high, fans chanting his name as the ceremony began.
The massive screen behind the podium displayed the League crest, the official seal glimmering in blue and silver. League Champion Lance himself stood at the podium, flanked by Charles Goodshow and other committee members.
As Tharion and Selene walked onto the stage together, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Nina, sitting in the special box with Goodshow, clapped proudly, her eyes shining.
Goodshow stepped forward. "This year's Indigo League will be remembered as one of the fiercest in our history. And now, we honor our Champion — Tharion of Pallet!"
A cascade of golden confetti filled the air as Tharion received the Champion's medal and trophy. His team's Poké Balls gleamed at his belt — a symbol of their triumph and bond.
Reporters surged forward as the ceremony ended. "Tharion! What's next for the new Champion of Indigo?!"
Tharion smiled calmly, his voice steady over the noise. "My journey isn't over. I plan to travel to the Johto Region — to challenge their League next. After that… Hoenn."
The statement sent an immediate buzz through the audience. Cameras flashed wildly. Trainers gasped and murmured in excitement.
"Johto and Hoenn?!" one reporter shouted. "You mean to say you're aiming to conquer multiple Leagues back-to-back?"
Tharion nodded slightly. "That's the plan. I'm not here just to win once. I want to see how far I — and my Pokémon — can go."
Cheers erupted again, spreading through the stands like wildfire.
Then the reporters turned to Selene, who stood beside him, her posture graceful yet unreadable.
"Selene! You were the closest anyone has ever come to defeating the new Champion! What are your plans?"
Selene paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before replying with a faint smirk. "The same as him. I'll travel to Johto. I still have something left unfinished… and maybe a score to settle."
The crowd exploded into speculation — "A rematch?!", "Is this rivalry turning into a saga?!"
But Tharion and Selene merely shared a knowing glance. Behind the media's noise, they understood the truth — it wasn't about rivalry. It was about destiny.
As the ceremony concluded, fireworks painted the sky above the Indigo Plateau — red, silver, and gold bursting like stars reborn.
Nina watched from above, hands clasped together, smiling proudly. "You did it, big brother…"
And somewhere in the stands, Selene glanced at Tharion's retreating figure — her voice low, barely a whisper.
"This time… let's make sure the world doesn't fall again."