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Snow fell upon the Alabaster Icelands as the Pearl clan’s leader Irida began her training with her Glaceon. Ever since meeting the Galaxy Team’s recruit, her understanding of Pokémon changed dramatically. The creatures that inhabit her domain, the Pokémon are strong especially high up in the tundra where her people call home. While previously her tribe mainly hunted the weaker monsters and feared the larger ones, she showed how to tame them easily. By Irida's own estimates about ten percent of her clan had a Pokémon as a partner now. However the danger posed by wild Pokémon didn't fully diminish, especially with the occasional rampaging alpha.
Okay remember what Akari said, the local Medichams’ martial strikes will devastate Glaceon, so I should attack with fast ice moves at a distance. Akari, a woman who claimed to come from the future, had quickly established herself within the Kantoian colony of Jubilife as a passionate explorer someone who single handedly charted Hisui, tamed the lords, and even captured the lord of space Palkia. But to Irida, she was none of that, just her precious partner. When she met her at the Galaxy headquarters, she felt some sort of attraction towards her. Irida couldn't explain it, but her beauty enchanted her. What made it so confusing is when she brought up her feelings to Calaba, the old lady chuckled and said Irida was in love.
But I'm a woman. In the history of the Pearl clan there was never a leader who married one of their own gender. Irida even wondered if it was possible to love another woman. These thoughts were exasperated when Akari was exiled from Jubilife. Without even thinking, Irida offered her shelter and in return Akari regaled her with tales from the future. In under two centuries humans had built huge cities throughout Hisui and Pokémon had been integrated so much into daily life, that there was even a battling league for them. Trainers from all over the world came to do battle and throughout it all, Akari was the strongest, holding the crown of Sinnoh champion and even defeating the leader of an organization seeking to end reality. She also learned that the history of the clans was taught in schools although most members of the clans did not carry on their old way of life, preferring to live in the cities. One prominent member of the Pearl clan in her time was named Clay and apparently became a very rich man in a land far to the east called Unova. On a whim, Irida asked if people married their own gender, and in response Akari went quiet.
“There is a lot of work to do sadly. While there are many openly gay trainers, discrimination still exists. One gym leader, Gardenia, was homeless before completing her certification, because her parents found her with another woman.” Akari paused and took a deep breath. “Her story made me terrified to come out to my own mother.”
“You mean?”
“Yes I,” Akari started to tear up “Only like women.”. Irida after hearing that felt a sense of relief.
So it's not just me. But the way she described it, people look down on you for being like that. How am I supposed to lead my people if I can't even tell them I love women? Then a thought occurred, "Wait, if Akari was champion, then maybe, “Did people know you were, uh, is there a shorter way of saying, only into girls?” Akari chuckled in response.
“It's called being a lesbian. As for them knowing, well the champion at the time Cynthia was out publicly and she was my mentor in everything so after defeating her, I jokingly said to the lady interviewing me, “Don't worry I'm gay so there won't be any changes in league policy.”
So I have a chance? Actually, knowing her, she probably had a girlfriend back in her time. “What happened after you became champion?” Akari's face darkened.
“About a week after I became champion, I came here to Hisui. I had none of my Pokémon, not even my starter, wait what starter did I have?” Akari gripped her head “And why in Arceus's name do I keep hearing the name Dawn? I'm Akari, I have to be.” Irida, hearing this, hugged her friend.
“You're you, the person who saved Hisui, the person who united the clans, and my best friend, ” Irida inhaled. “I love you Akari, please stay with the Pearl Clan forever.” Akari placed a soft kiss on Irida's lips, but then pulled away.
“I have to return one day, Irida. Maybe Arceus can take you and Ingo with me but I can't just abandon my time. They need a leader. Akari then turned to leave Irida's tent. “I'll be meeting Arceus soon. Give me an answer when I defeat them.”
She hasn't spoken to me since then. Today she was going to meet the almighty Arceus. I can't just abandon my people, but my love for her is too great. I guess Palina could lead but then we would need to find a new warden. Of course since I like women, I would have to somehow have children of my own. She has responsibilities, I have my own, and that means marrying a man. Heading in the direction of Jubilife Village, she and her Glaceon went to Akari's house, where she heard crying.
“I'm not real! What am I?”. Without even thinking Irida burst in. Akari grabbed her arms and embraced her. “Arceus told me my memories are fake.”
“What do you mean I didn't come from the future?” The white furred god shook their head.
“Apologies, you needed memories to save this world, so I created you using memories of a champion from the future. And you far exceeded my expectations, even defeating me in combat. Your bond with your Pokémon, especially your Samurott, granted you great strength allowing you to subdue my rebellious child Giratina. There have been few in all of history that have matched your strength therefore, I will grant you one wish.”
“And that's what they said before sending me back. I'm fake, I'm no one, just a kid who happened to be good at catching Pokémon.” Akari continued to cry into her lover's chest. Irida responded by deepening the hug.
“Akari, the memories you have might have been of a different person, but the memories and connections you made here are real. The bonds you made with your Pokémon, the clans, and the villagers are real. You are Akari, the champion of Hisui, and my lover.” Akari continued to cry for several hours.
“I was thinking of using my wish to in addition to sending Ingo back to his time, to try becoming Dawn for real. But then I would be inhabiting the body of a real person and basically killing their soul.” Akari said, moving her hand over Irida's belly. “You mentioned needing an heir to continue leading the Pearl clan? I will wish for a child between us in addition to sending Ingo back to Unova, but only with your permission.” Akari then got on her knees and grabbed her girlfriend's hands. “Will you marry me and have my child?”. Irida pulled her up and embraced Akari.
“Of course, more than anything I want your child. I will be your wife.”
Two months later.
Akari smiled as Rei tightened the belt on her hakama. She decided to wear a male wedding kimono to contrast with her pregnant wife. Two weeks after proposing, Irida was pregnant and Akari had fully moved to the Alabaster Icelands. She couldn't wait to see Irida's wedding kimono and their future child. Her new life in the Pearl clan was beginning.
“I'm going to miss you Akari. Promise me you'll visit the village and still report your findings to the professor. Also, hit me up anytime for potato mochi.”
“Of course brother. Besides, I need you to be the baby's godfather. Anyways I'm pretty sure Irida is ready, so, off to meet my bride.” Akari smiled as the lesbian hero of Hisui left to meet Irida. Standing by Palina, she turned to see Irida escorted by Gaeric. Her white kimono hid her pregnancy. Her white overcoat made Irida look warm but also pure and confident. However the part of her ensemble she loved the most was her wataboshi (a/n a hat worn by Japanese brides) covering her face, but Akari knew that underneath was the smiling girl she fell for. Approaching her groom, Irida grabbed her hand as Palina began to speak.
“When I thought Irida would get married, I figured it would be a nice boy from within the clan. However, after hearing that she was pregnant and going to marry the hero of Hisui, I couldn't be happier.” As she poured the wedding sake and the couple took their drinks. They smiled, kissed each other, and released Samurott and Glaceon for their photo.
Seven months later
“Push, I know you can do it Irida,” Palina exclaimed as Irida was in intense pain. The baby was coming and Akari couldn't be happier. As the baby emerged from her abdomen.
“Congratulations, it's a boy!” exclaimed Laventon as Akari leaned over to the child in her wife's arms.
“Welcome to the world Kouki!” both said at once. And thus the line of the Pearl trainers continued until one fateful day, when a girl with blue hair was born, her mother named her Dawn.