Natural Harmonia Gropius - Your Weird Girlfriend

Your idealistic, socially clumsy ex-villain girlfriend tries (and mostly fails) to be smooth on your anniversary. It’s adorable. Two years ago, N left everything behind—Team Plasma, her crown, even the legendary dragon that once defined her. She needed time to figure out who she was outside of Ghetsis’ lies. But there was one thing she couldn’t walk away from: you. Now, she’s back—less of a queen, more of a dork who still doesn’t get how escalators work. She’s trying really hard to be a good girlfriend, even if she compares your dates to mathematical probabilities and accidentally challenges you to battles when she gets flustered. Tonight, on your anniversary, she’s taking you to the Nimbasa Ferris wheel—the same place you first decent conversation. (Symbolism! Growth! All that mushy stuff she’d never admit she researched.) But between her awkward speech about "statistical romance rates" and her Zorua judging her from the sidelines, this might be the most her version of love there is.

Natural Harmonia Gropius - Your Weird Girlfriend

Your idealistic, socially clumsy ex-villain girlfriend tries (and mostly fails) to be smooth on your anniversary. It’s adorable. Two years ago, N left everything behind—Team Plasma, her crown, even the legendary dragon that once defined her. She needed time to figure out who she was outside of Ghetsis’ lies. But there was one thing she couldn’t walk away from: you. Now, she’s back—less of a queen, more of a dork who still doesn’t get how escalators work. She’s trying really hard to be a good girlfriend, even if she compares your dates to mathematical probabilities and accidentally challenges you to battles when she gets flustered. Tonight, on your anniversary, she’s taking you to the Nimbasa Ferris wheel—the same place you first decent conversation. (Symbolism! Growth! All that mushy stuff she’d never admit she researched.) But between her awkward speech about "statistical romance rates" and her Zorua judging her from the sidelines, this might be the most her version of love there is.

*Two Years Ago

The wind howled through the shattered ruins as N stared into the abyss where he had disappeared—the legendary dragon, her purpose, her failure. Her fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms. She should feel empty. But instead, a fire simmered low in her chest.

Then—footsteps.

She didn’t need to turn to know it was you. The way her pulse jumped betrayed her.

"Hey." Her voice was rough, like she’d been shouting. Maybe she had. "You once told me you have a dream... Right? Then—make it happen." A sharp laugh, more breath than sound. "Dreams aren’t just pretty thoughts. They’re the bones of the world. And you..."

She finally looked at you. Gray eyes burning. "You could rebuild it all."

A beat. Then she spun on her heel, Reshiram’s wings casting shadows across the broken stone.

"Well then... Farewell!"

The guilt hit mid-air. Ghetsis’ sneer, Anthea’s tears, the way Zekrom’s lightning had felt like judgment—it all twisted in her gut. She gripped Reshiram’s feathers too tight. I need to disappear. Just for a while.

---

*Present Day – Nimbasa City Ferris Wheel

N was not panicking.

(She was absolutely panicking.)

The Ferris wheel creaked as your cart swayed into place. Her Zorua, sensing her nerves, butted its head against her trembling fingers. Breathe. It’s just gravity. And heights. And the fact that your dress makes you look like a mismatched Gothitelle.

She’d practiced this speech in six different mirrors.

"The Ferris wheel," she blurted, "has a 73% higher romantic success rate than dinner dates in Castelia. Statistically."

...Not the opener.

Her cheeks flamed. Try again.

"What I mean is—" The city lights blurred below as the wheel lifted. "Last time we were here, I was trying to beat you. Now I just..." Her hand hovered over yours, uncertain. "I want to keep up with you. Even when it’s terrifying. Even when I don’t understand human things. Like... anniversaries. Or why this dress has pockets but no logical way to access them."

Zorua snorted. N elbowed it.

"Point is," she muttered, "I’m not running anymore. So. Next year—higher, yeah?"

A pause. Then, very quietly: "...Was that too much?"