Chapter Text
Harmony felt a familiar rush when she looked out the window on this particularly clear day. Prism Tower—at least, what was left of it. She quickly looked down, not ready to face everything she felt when she saw the metal structure. It was so much more than what she felt the first time she saw it, pristine and perfect and full of possibilities. Now, it left a bittersweet taste in her mouth.
To distract herself, Harmony checked her phone and saw that Canari just started a stream. She tuned in and saw that Gwynn was in chat, as usual.
TheRealHarmony: Hi Gwynn! How are youuu?
Chandelure4Ever: Been better. Ivor broke my phone and my tablet. I'm watching stream from my smart fridge :/
TheRealHarmony: ???
TheRealHarmony: Didn't you just get that tablet a week ago??
Chandelure4Ever: Yes.
Harmony had to stifle a laugh just as Canari's countdown ended. She did her stream intro and then got straight into the game. Harmony really didn't have the time to play games anymore, and she wasn't that interested in it anyway, but she always tried to catch Canari's streams of the newest releases to keep up with her.
When Harmony finished renewing her sub, Canari noticed her in chat. "Oh hey Champion!! Harmony's a real one, happy...THREE YEARS?! Pause. If you started watching when you left town, that means you've been gone for that long??? Dang, I’m old. Let's get some Electro-Waves in chat for Harmony!" Harmony chuckled. Wow...had it really been three years already? Harmony remembered her last few days in Lumiose like they had just happened...
After AZ's funeral, Team MZ was inseparable. They relied on each other because they needed it. But, once some time had passed, everyone started to move on. Well, everyone except Harmony. She had led the cleanup effort for the city, working hard with all the groups across the city to rebuild what had been destroyed. That kept her busy for a few months, but even that would eventually come to an end. She started helping Emma out more with her detective work, but that was more tedious than anything, and it felt like busy work to Harmony after everything she had done quelling the rogue megas. She just felt so...empty.
One night, after the official re-opening of town hall, it got especially bad. After the celebration and the party where Team MZ had been honored and applauded, she found herself completely alone in the lobby of Hotel Z. Everyone had things to do, lives to live, and Harmony was just lonely with nothing left on the horizon. She felt herself breathing quicker, her chest getting tight. She needed to talk to someone, anyone. But who? Who would even understand? She longed to look over at the desk and see AZ there, ready to greet her with a knowing smile and give her some of his wisdom. She blinked back tears and walked out of the lobby, needing some new scenery. It was freezing, and she only had the Team MZ jacket to keep her warm, but Harmony could barely feel it as she stomped forward—any direction, as long as she was moving.
Who could she talk to? Lida was busy at dance rehearsal, Naveen was neck-deep in commissions, and Urbain was probably holed up in a meeting making important decisions about the fate of the city. She couldn't bring herself to bother any of them. Her feet brought her north, and she found herself in front of the Looker Bureau. She thought that Emma might be able to help, but when she walked in, Emma was nowhere to be found. "Hi Mimi," Harmony said to the Espurr seated in the chair. "Is Emma gone?”
“E.”
“Ok, tell her I came by," Harmony replied before leaving, not wanting Mimi to sense how strong her emotions were becoming. It shouldn't have impacted her that much, people were busy and she normally would understand, but Harmony was starting to freak out. Once she stepped out into the cold air, the mist turning into a downpour, she felt her breathing picking up again. Was she all alone? This entire city and there was nobody she could talk to?
The Rust Syndicate.
As soon as it entered her view, Harmony had no clue why she didn't think of it sooner. Sure, Corbeau was super intimidating when they first met, but after learning more about him, she had figured out that he was just a big softie, even if he tried his best to appear otherwise. Since the Ange disaster, they had battled occasionally in the infinite royale, and she even went to the Syndicate a couple times to get information on people or situations for Emma's cases. Corbeau had repeatedly told her that his door was always open. He was exactly who she needed right now.
The elevator opened, and the familiar view of the Rust Syndicate leader's office came into focus. It was late enough that Phillipe wasn't around, so the only person left was a certain purple-haired mafia boss. Corbeau was typing away at a document, but when he looked up and saw who his visitor was, his eyes brightened. He only slightly tried to hide his smile with his hand as he stood up, automatically reaching for the Poké balls on his belt. "Here for another battle?" he asked.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, no," Harmony responded sheepishly, staying close to the elevator. At this moment, Harmony realized how foreign this felt. She had only ever talked to Corbeau about battles or business. Now she was standing here, soaking wet and in the middle of a mental breakdown?! She felt insane.
Corbeau must have noticed her body language because his expression shifted to be more concerned. "Is something wrong, kid?" he asked. "Do you need something?"
Harmony chuckled dryly. "Yeah, actually. I need...advice?"
Corbeau's eyes got wide before he cracked a smirk. "You know, my reputation usually doesn't lead people to ask me for advice," he joked, but Harmony could hear some sadness in his tone too.
"P-please?” she begged, urging him to take this seriously. “Maybe…maybe just imagine I’m a grunt! And I’m asking advice about investing or battling or whatever you guys do here. You’d give some direction to one of them, and it would be good, right?”
Courbeau rolled his eyes, unable to suppress a smile. “Yes, I suppose I would give them advice. But I’m their boss, they have to listen to me whether it’s good or not.”
Harmony was growing restless, more annoyed than usual at Corbeau’s artful way of dodging an uncomfortable topic. She crossed her arms with a huff and finally moved away from the wall, stopping a few feet in front of him, close enough that the rainwater in her hair dripped onto his desk. “Look,” she breathed. “I really need to talk this out with someone I trust. Please?”
Now that she was closer, Corbeau’s demeanor changed entirely. Harmony guessed that he hadn’t seen her pink, tearstained face until now. She didn’t blame him—with glasses that thick, she assumed he probably couldn’t make out details from too far away. “Of…of course. Here, let’s get you somewhere comfortable.” The corners of Corbeau’s mouth dipped slightly before he began walking towards the couches, motioning for Harmony to follow. “Aw, kid, are you cold?” he asked, noticing her soaked clothes.
“A little…” Harmony sputtered.
Sighing, Corbeau pulled a blanket out from behind one of the couch cushions and tossed it to her. Once they were both seated and Harmony was adequately wrapped up in the blanket, Corbeau nodded. “Go ahead.”
Harmony thought for a moment, wondering what it was that she even wanted to ask. She had come all this way and avoided all her friends, but now she couldn’t come up with any words to describe how…off she felt. How things hadn’t felt right since the incident a few months ago.
Her eyes darted around the room, admiring all the strange decor, looking anywhere except at Corbeau, before she finally burst out, “What the hell am I supposed to do now?!” Her voice was angrier than she expected, and she didn’t realize there were tears in her eyes until one fell down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, growing angrier from the embarrassment. She didn’t want to come here just to cry in Corbeau’s office.
Corbeau looked at her thoughtfully, but he didn’t say a word.
“I have n-no idea what I’m doing…” she continued shakily. “And I’m confused about what’s next for Team MZ. They’re everything to me…but I know it’s not going to last. Urbain has his CEO duties or whatever now, Lida has her dance career, and Naveen’s commissions are picking up like crazy. They all have a…future,” she said breathlessly. “Meanwhile, now that there’s no imposing threat, I don’t even know what to do with myself! And once all the cleanup from Ange is done, I’ll really have nothing. NOTHING! Nobody for my Pokémon to fight, no purpose at all! I’ll just sit on my butt and rot away in a Wild Zone, the Pokémon there would probably have more use for me as food anyway.” At this point, Harmony knew she sounded ridiculous, and she couldn’t even bring herself to take her eyes off the table.
Corbeau was quiet until Harmony looked up at him, asking silently for a response. He looked to the ceiling and bit his cheek in thought until finally suggesting, “You could always join the Rust Syndicate.”
Harmony’s gaze flickered angrily at him, wondering how he could bring that up at this moment. However, when she saw the twinkle in his eye, she huffed out a begrudging laugh, which Corbeau joined in on. Of course he’d try to mess with me right now, she thought to herself; although, she was secretly impressed he had made her smile.
Now that tense air was broken, Corbeau leaned his forearms on his knees with his hands folded in front of him, taking on a more serious expression. “What do you want to do? It could be anything! Think big.”
“I could be a snack for the Pyroar in Wild Zone 17?” she squeaked.
Corbeau sighed. “Please be serious,” he asked with a glare.
Harmony sat back, annoyed that Corbeau didn’t like her joke. “Well…” she mused, “I could go back home?”
“That’s not thinking big at all,” he responded flatly.
“I know, I know, it’s just always the first thing that comes to mind,” she chuckled. “I mean, technically speaking, this trip to Lumiose was only supposed to be a vacation.”
Corbeau’s eyebrows furrowed. “A vacation?! I didn’t realize that you save cities in your downtime. I can’t imagine what you do on a normal day,”
Harmony outright laughed at that. “I guess that is a little…unconventional. To be honest, I’ve never felt so useful in my life. So…fulfilled,” she explained. “See, when I was at home, I was a glorified babysitter to my six younger siblings. I didn’t even have time to raise a Pokémon of my own. This trip to Lumiose really changed my life…”
“...And you don’t want to go back,” Corbeau finished.
Harmony cringed at the words, but it was true. She didn’t want to forget about what happened in Lumiose, to act like it never happened.
“Anything else?” Corbeau prodded.
“I could, I don’t know, challenge the gyms in Kalos? Maybe take on the Pokémon League?” she suggested unsteadily.
Corbeau leaned back in his seat, eyeing her with his head tipped back. He remained quiet.
Harmony couldn’t believe she had even said that out loud. She wanted so badly to take it back and never have to endure the judgy glare Corbeau gave her. It was something she thought about more than she liked to admit, but it felt so scary to leave everything she knew, all the people she cared about. “No, forget I said anything, that’s a stupid idea,” Harmony said quickly, her face growing hot.
However, to her surprise, Corbeau leaned forward again with a bewildered expression. “Why on earth would that be stupid?”
Harmony sighed and looked up, feeling like the answer was obvious. “Aren’t my Pokémon way too strong for the gyms? What if that means I’m not prepared at all for the League? And it would be weird for me to start so late, I’m already seventeen. Am I even allowed to compete against literal ten-year-olds?” She felt her excuses falter under Corbeau’s unconvinced expression.
“You done?”
Harmony nodded.
“Good. First of all, it’s not your fault you’ve trained your Pokémon to be extremely powerful all on your own. It’ll help keep the gym leaders on their toes. Secondly, there’s no age limit. Hell, I could go get some gym badges if I really wanted to. And if anyone finds your age to be a problem, I can personally see to it that they—”
Harmony put her hand out to signal for Corbeau to stop. Although it was fun to see him get all riled up, she didn’t want him to get in a sour mood for her sake. “Thank you,” she said as genuinely as she could muster.
Corbeau cleared his throat and straightened his tie. “Pardon me. Furthermore, I think it would be fitting for you to acquire a title that matches your skill level. If everyone knew you were a Champion, they’d at least have a little bit of a warning before getting into battle with you.”
“You…really think I could do it?” Harmony whispered.
Corbeau burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh. It’s just…you. You reached rank A. You saved Lumiose. You have a Zygarde for crying out loud!”
“I probably wouldn’t use it to fight the gyms!” she chimed in quickly, waving that thought away. “That feels like cheating.”
Corbeau rolled his eyes. “Still as humble as ever. What I’m saying is, I would bet the entire net worth of every artifact in this room that you could do it.”
Harmony’s eyes shone from the complement. She inhaled deeply, finally feeling like she could breathe again. “Thanks, Corbeau. You have no idea how much this helped me.”
Corbeau straightened and smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re welcome, Harmony.” He looked at the elevator door, then down at his watch. “Oh Arceus, it’s gotten quite late. You should go, you’ll need rest before…” he trailed off, seeming like he was holding his tongue.
“Yeah, I’ll have a big day of planning and packing ahead,” Harmony finished, unable to control the smile that crept onto her face.
As she got up to leave and refolded the blanket, Corbeau stayed seated, looking at nothing in particular. “So… I suppose this is goodbye?” he asked.
A wave of sadness washed over Harmony. “Y-yeah, I suppose it is.”
“Hold it, I didn’t mean to bring down the mood!” Corbeau said cheerfully, getting up to walk Harmony out. Seeing her glum face, he added, “You were just all excited, remember?”
Harmony tried to smile, but she knew it wasn’t genuine. As excited as she was about this new adventure, she felt so much sadness thinking about leaving the life she knew. One that would never be the same again. She frowned as Corbeau pressed the button to the elevator.
“…Hey,” he added, breaking the silence. “I don’t give out advice for free, y’know.”
Eyes wide, Harmony froze. Crap. This is why she didn’t think of going to Corbeau at first. “Oh, uh…what do I owe you?” she asked shakily.
Corbeau had to purse his lips to hide his smile. “I want to make a deal,” he said professionally, tucking his hands behind his back. “If you ever wind up back in Lumiose, you’ll pay me a visit. Maybe even battle me, if you’re up for it. Those are my terms,” he finished with a comforting smile.
Harmony relaxed, laughing at herself for how tense she had gotten. Although Corbeau had his intimidation tactics down, at his core, he was still her friend.
“As for my side of the agreement,” he continued, “no matter what meetings I have, no questions asked, I’ll make time to catch up with a Champion.” Then he put his hand out for a fist bump, something Harmony had learned was a sign of affection between all her friends in Lumiose.
Harmony fist bumped him back, a real smile returning to her face when he called her a Champion. “It’s a deal. I promise.”
With that, she left his office for the last time.
Until now.
Now, she was wondering if Corbeau would remember his end of the deal.
Harmony had been gone longer than she anticipated, but it wasn't all her fault. There was no longer a gym in Lumiose City…obviously, so she didn't end up passing through when she was getting all her badges. Then, once she became the Champion, she was immediately caught up in studying the impact of the Ultimate Weapon and Ange, figuring out what that would mean for the future of mega evolution across the region. Her uncle, Professor Sycamore, had been her main point of contact for this research, but that was all halted now. The distortions were a much more pressing concern.
Harmony was jerked back to reality by the announcement that they had arrived at Gare De Lumiose. As she stepped off the train, she couldn't believe how at home she already felt. The noise of the street, the city smells, everything transported her back to her time in Lumiose. It felt like she never even left.
"There you are!!" a cheerful voice called out. Standing there, exactly where Harmony had met him, was Urbain, ready to welcome her back.
"You're here! Didn't you say you had meetings tonight?" Harmony squealed, engulfing Urbain in a hug.
"Eh, they could wait," he said, squeezing her back. "I needed to be here for the Champion! I heard she's a pretty big deal."
"Really?" Harmony asked, pulling back. "I heard she's just some person on vacation that got really lost."
"That too, probably,” he said with a grin. “Ok, let me take your stuff! Overpacked, per usual," he remarked, lifting the heavy travel bag.
She rolled her eyes. "Hey, I’ll have you know I learned how to pack way lighter when I was traveling around the region. But who knows how long I'll be here this time? I had to be prepared for anything."
Urbain extended his arm out to the west. "Allow me to show you to your quarters," he said in the fake fancy voice he used to do when he worked at Hotel Z. "The Champion will have her old room at Hotel Z, if that's to her liking. Free of charge, of course," he added, walking towards the familiar building.
Harmony choked. "First AZ, now you? No, let me pay you!!"
"Nope, I can't actually. And don't think you're special. Nobody pays for Hotel Z anymore."
Harmony furrowed her eyebrows. "How do you keep it in business, then?"
"It's all funded by Quasartico! It's part of my new initiative—I call it the Urbain Redevelopment Plan!"
Harmony facepalmed. "You really haven't changed, have you."
"Nope!" he chirped, pushing open the doors to the hotel.
The room was buzzing with guests, a very different atmosphere than what Harmony was used to in the hotel's lobby. A few of them greeted Urbain as he walked by. "Do you know all these people?" Harmony muttered.
"More or less," he said with a shrug.
"Floette!" Harmony cried out. The ancient Pokémon was watching the lobby full of people and lit up when she saw the familiar face. Harmony rushed forward and cradled the Pokémon with a hug. "We have a lot to catch up on. How have you been?"
"Kyururu!" Floette cried, doing a little twirl.
"I'll see you around!" Harmony promised as the elevator dinged open.
When they reached her room, Urbain seemed relieved to finally set the travel bag down. Harmony invited him to sit next to her on the bed. "What's going on down there?! How are there so many guests?" she asked, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
"Well, I just hated that there was nobody staying in Hotel Z, and I didn't have the energy to keep it running as a side project. So, I decided to turn it into temporary housing for people that would otherwise be on the streets. Kinda like when you and I first got to Lumiose. Especially in the aftermath of Ange, the people here need help more than ever. And Floette keeps them all in line so there’s no trouble!"
"That's...amazing, Urbain. Nice job," Harmony said, offering a fist bump, which Urbain gladly returned. "So, um...what can you tell me about these distortions I've heard so much about?"
Urbain considered his words for a moment, something Harmony wasn't used to seeing him do. "Let's save that for tomorrow. I'll get you all caught up, I promise, it'll just be easier with everyone together. You'll be at the meeting in the morning with everyone?" he asked hopefully.
"It's what I'm here for," Harmony answered with a shrug. "Where will it be?"
"Team MZ will meet up in the lobby here. For old time's sake," he said with a cheesy grin. "Then we'll head to the meeting together. But until then, you need some rest after a day of traveling! And…I have some very angry texts from Vinnie to attend to," he finished sheepishly.
"Don't let me keep you! I know you're busy, so get out of here!" Harmony said, pushing Urbain out of the room.
He turned once he was out of the door. "See you tomorrow," he said with a smile. Like he had missed those words.
"See you tomorrow," Harmony repeated, heart warm like she was home again.
Harmony admired herself in the full-length mirror in the hotel room. She always had an eye for style, but being the Champion was a whole new level—especially with the reputation of her predecessors. Thankfully, Diantha and Serena had taken Harmony under their wings, treating her to a wardrobe overhaul as soon as she was officially declared Champion. Harmony had traded her wide-leg jeans for a high-waisted black skort, and she now wore a tight halter top underneath her jacket. The jacket had been a special commission from Naveen, and it was the one item she insisted on keeping no matter how much Diantha grimaced at it. It was dark pink, the same shade as mega energy, with insanely detailed embroidery showcasing the Lumiose City skyline, Team MZ, and Pokémon from her team along the hem and the sleeves. An abstract Mega Zygarde was depicted in the center of her back using its signature move. It was awesome.
However, since she was in Lumiose to travel and investigate, she had changed into her favorite black cargo pants instead of the skirt. At the last “Champion’s Tea,” an excuse created by Serena to keep all the recent Champions in touch, Harmony had been scolded for changing up her color scheme too much. Apparently she had an “image to maintain” now, whatever that meant. But Harmony didn’t mind being bossed around if it meant she had some great mentors.
Leaning closer to her reflection, Harmony almost didn’t recognize herself. Here she was, back in Hotel Z, and yet so much had changed. Her face seemed much older, too, like she wasn’t a lost kid anymore. Even still, she maintained her signature half-up and hair color, although it had gotten much longer.
Suddenly, the green Friend Ball she had placed on the table started shaking. “Something’s really bothering you, huh?” she mumbled before making up her mind. She grabbed the restless Poké ball and headed straight for the roof.
"Come on out, Zygarde!"
The green and black Pokémon emerged, standing tall in its 50% forme. It had been irritable for the last few weeks, but Harmony hadn't been able to figure out why. Then, when Urbain mentioned some strange distortions on Team MZ's weekly call, it all clicked. She was on the first train to Lumiose City after that.
As she sat on the couch, Harmony admired the city as it twinkled in the twilight, and she finally took some time to really look at Ange. It was even more grown out and rusted than when she left. Wild Zone 20 seemed to be thriving, the trees getting taller and weaving into the metal tower so the two were indistinguishable.
Zygarde’s head was jerking back and forth, like it was trying to see all the disturbances it had been feeling for so long. "I think you should split up,” Harmony suggested. “Try to cover all the ground you can, and report back to me with what you find."
Zygarde nodded slowly, then began to melt. Cells dispersed from the roof, leaving behind the dog-shaped 10% forme. Harmony patted its head. "Please make sure they all come back when I ask? I don't want to be running around like a crazy person looking for all of them."
“ZEEEE,” Zygarde barked defiantly. It zoomed away, seeming excited to test out the speed of this form again. Harmony sighed, knowing that she'd have to comb the back alleys no matter what to find the last few stragglers when it was time for them to go.
Now that she was alone, Harmony took in the view one last time, and her eyes now settled on a purple building in the Bleu District. There was still one thing she needed to take care of tonight.
As Harmony walked to the Rust Syndicate’s HQ, her mind was buzzing. Based on their few texts back and forth over the years, she knew that Corbeau still worked for the Rust Syndicate, and business was thriving like usual. But would he be there this late? Would he even want to see her? Why was she so nervous?? The knot in her stomach reminded her of the first time she had ever come here with Lida, with no clue what to expect.
When she got to the front gate, two grunts were keeping watch. "Aye, watch it and don't come any closer!" one warned.
Harmony kicked herself for not just texting Corbeau. She didn't want to battle the grunts and embarrass them, but she reached for a Poké ball anyway, prepared to defend herself. "Hey, I don't want any trouble. I know you don't know me, it's been a while, but I have an...appointment. With your boss."
"Yeah, right," the first grunt teased. "And I'm da Champion of Kalos. Bite me!"
However, the second grunt narrowed her eyes. Then understanding filled her face. "Shut up," she hissed at her coworker.
"Huh? Whaddya mean, you're bossin' me around now?"
"Shut up unless ya want—"
She was cut off by a giant shadow looming over both of them. "I hope you weren't causing this esteemed visitor any trouble...right?" the large man boomed, staring daggers at the grunts. He grabbed both of them by their heads, pushing them out of the way before wrapping Harmony in a hug. Then, he stepped back and smiled. “Welcome back, Champion Harmony."
"Hi, Phillipe," Harmony said with a smile.
He ushered her into the courtyard. "Your timing is impeccable. I don't believe the boss has anything on his schedule for the rest of the evening."
Harmony rolled her eyes. "You know that's not true. He told you about our deal?" Harmony guessed.
Phillipe smirked. "Still as sharp as ever. After you," he offered, holding the main door open.
Whatever Harmony was about to say next got stuck in her throat.
Standing at the front desk, hands in his pockets, talking to the receptionist, was Corbeau himself. He turned his head to see who the visitor was, and his mouth fell open. "H-Harmony?" he asked, blinking multiple times to make sure he was correct.
"Hey, Corbeau. You got some time to catch up?" Harmony asked.
He was nodding before she had even finished speaking. "Phillipe, cancel my meetings for tonight. I'm suddenly very busy," he said with a whisper of a smile.
"Already done, boss," Phillipe replied. "Would you like me to set up the battle court?"
Corbeau raised his eyebrows and tipped his head towards Harmony, awaiting her response.
"As long as he's willing to have the worst defeat of his life," Harmony said innocently.
"I wouldn't be so sure, Champion. Scolipede and I have been working pretty hard on our battle tactics," Corbeau shot back.
Oh, how Harmony had missed the smack talk here in Lumiose. Bursting with excitement, she quickly replied, "Yes, Phillipe, please set it up."