(First Requested One-shot of this book and it's starting with the Sandwich Boy himself! Let's go! >u<
So this one-shot is gonna have a lot of spoilers kinda for Scarlet and Violet, because this happens almost at end-game, but with a few changes between Arven and the reader, so I suggest you be super careful with carrying on this chapter if you have not played these games! If you've read this warning and want to continue because you've completed the game already or because you don't care about spoilers, then continue on. On with the story!)

Requested by: BlazeFireFox

Warnings: ☆None unless you count some Spoilers☆

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Finally, you were done with collecting Gym Badges and fighting Team Star Leaders and asking for help from Penny and Nemona since you and Arven needed help for where the Professor had asked you to go, due to it being incredibly dangerous to go there by yourselves. You had almost zero idea on why it could be that dangerous, but you just went on with them telling you two to gather help since you'd need as much as you could.

Now you were walking outside of the school as your Rotom Phone rung rapidly as it flew out from your backpack.

*Ro-to-to-to~!* It rung as it showed your best friends name on the screen with the contact image you took of him hugging his Mabosstiff after you both battled to see if you two were ready to go to Area Zero.

"Yo! Arven here!" Arven said as his face appeared on the screen of your phone.

"Hey Arv! Any news about anyone who can help us out?"

Arven smiled at you and was about to answer, but suddenly...

"Bow-wow!" You heard as Arven was trying to protect his phone from Mabosstiff's puppy kisses, "Bow-warf!"

"Woah! Down boy! Don't jump up like that!" Arven said as he tried to calm his Mabosstiff from its excitement causing you to giggle a little bit, "Seems like your voice has old Mabosstiff all worked up, (Y/n)!"

You grinned, then rolled your eyes playfully, then as soon as he got Mabosstiff to sit down, he looked back to you, "Anyways, everything you've been putting in around Paleda has really helped you make a name for yourself. Built up some good will, that's for sure." He then smiled brightly, "So I've been able to secure two allies who want to go to Area Zero with us! That should have us ready to tackle anything!"

"That's great! So now what's the plan?"

"Well, the first part of the plan will be gathering at Area Zero. I'll be waiting at the Zero Gate- I'll send you the location on your phone, too. Don't leave me hanging forever!"

"Arv, you know I'm never gonna do that. I'll be right there, alright?"

"Alright (Y/n), stay safe okay?"

"Alright, see you soon..."

Your Rotom Phone hung up the call, then flew back to your backpack, while your Miraidon popped out of it's ball, stretching its arms and legs out and yawning before staring at you.

"Grawla?" It growled curiously as it came up to you, "Marawl?"

You smiled, "Yeah, it was Arven, Miraidon..."

Miraidon only smirked at the fact and chirped, "Grawhra?"

"Miraidon!" You yelled back as it started chuckling at how you reacted, you then lowered your voice to a whisper, "Look, he's not my boyfriend! He and I are just friends..."

"Mawla?"

You sighed, "Yeah, we're just... Really close friends, y'know?"

'Even though, I wish we were more...'

It didn't always seem like it, but over time, when you and Arven were out collecting the Herba Mysticas for sandwiches, you felt like you had grown a connection with him. Every time you heard him spoke, it made your heart flutter, and when you and him would stare into each other's eyes, you felt as if you were floating on a cloud, and you felt so distracted by him, in a good way. You loved the feeling. It was so entrancing... Yet, you were only friends, besides, he still called you Little Buddy, so maybe he didn't like you in that way.

At least, that's what (Y/n) thought.

*Meanwhile with Arven at the Area Zero Gate.*

Arven stood in place for a moment staring at the phone as it shown call ended. He took a sharp breath, slapped one hand upon his head, then sighed, "Why was it so hard to try to call her?!" He asked himself quietly, "What makes it worse is that if she didn't hang up, I probably would've even had a hard time hanging up, since I decided to blank out for who knows what!"

His Rotom Phone and Mabosstiff looked at him with worry and confusion as he walked back and forth in place. Mabosstiff walked up to his trainer, whimpering and nuzzling into his hand.

Arven looked towards him, sighing before petting his head, "I just don't understand why she makes me feel this way! It's like... Like she just makes me feel less alone. You know, Bud?"

Mabosstiff tilted his head and barked, then looked into the distance, as a loud noise of a running Miraidon was approaching them.

"Hey Arven!"

He stopped once again, as his heart started to skip quickly once again.

'Again?!'

"Hey (Y/n)! You made it!"

"Well, of course! It's not like I was gonna do Terastrial Raids and make sandwiches without my sandwich boy when we have a mission to get to!" (Y/n) then suddenly hugged him, a faint pink coloring started covering his cheeks, as he stood startled, but at the same, blessed by her touch.

Arven hugged back, "That's good..."

(Y/n) noticed he hugged back and then let go from the hug, her cheeks also turning a pink color. "S-So... Where's the Zero Gate at?" She said, seemingly to distracted by him to even notice the large building in front of them.

Arven shook his head to get him out of his thoughts, then pointed at the large building, "Uhm... Th-This is."

(Y/n) then looked at the building in embarrassment, "O-OH-" She then started to laugh a little about her mishap, "Oh my Arceus- How could I miss something that obvious!" Soon after that sentence, she started to laugh even more than before while Arven only stared, then laughing along with her.

After about a minute of laughter, Arven then spoke, still laughing a bit, "Come on, l-let's go meet with the others."

*Time Skip into the Gate to Area Zero*

Your 2 other allies were the Battling Addict, Nemona, and the Computer Hacking Ex-Team Star Leader, Penny. You were watching as they all introduced each other and explaining why they were helping out in Area Zero, and currently Arven was introducing himself.

"And of course everyone knows me, Arven! My loves include My Mabosstiff and cooking and (Y/)-" Before he could finish his sentence, a voice rung out from the building, interrupting him before he could finish his last sentence. (Small note, I headcanon he was gonna say the player's name. :P)

*Biometric Identification In Progress...*

"Hello, (Y/n). I've been expecting you." The voice was male and it seemed to irritate Arven as it spoke, "And it seems you have gathered a group of formidable allies as well."

Penny spoke in response to the voice, "Uhm... Sorry, who are you?"

Arven stood there silently, feeling the irritation bubbling inside of him, then looking down towards the ground, "That's... My dad. Probably."

Nemona and Penny both looked at him with shock in their eyes as Nemona spoke up, "What!? That's Professor Turo?!"

The voice read out Penny's and Nemona's names and their school ID numbers, "I thank you for coming."

Nemona clasped her hands together excitedly, "Of course, Professor! Oh my gosh, it's such an honor to meet you in person!" She fangirled, then adding onto her sentence, "Well, not exactly 'in person' exactly..."

Penny stared at Nemona, then to Arven, "Arven, did you... uh... tell your dad about us?"

"When would I have done that?" He replied with a look on his face that internally said 'really?'

The voice then speaks before anything else, "To begin with, I'd like you all to make your way down into the Great Creater of Paleda. You can reach the lower chamber using the elevator you can see to your right."

Everyone looked to the right, leaving everyone in an awkward silence.

"Um... Dad?" Arven called out to the voice.

The voice went silent for a moment, then spoke, "... Please proceed below."

It then shut off, leaving the group to be left in silence once again, while Arven only closed his eyes, a sad look over taking his face.

Penny looked at him curiously and with concern, "Are they... not on good terms?" She asked.

Nemona replied, "Must not be..."

You frowned, walking up to him, and looking at him with a sympathetic look, "Arv... It's gonna be okay, alright?"

He only looked at you with the dull look in his eyes that made your heart ache when you saw him like this, "... Let's just get this done. You heard him, the elevator is just over there!" You reluctantly nodded, then walked into the elevator as everyone else followed suit.

The elevator ride was... crowded a bit. You may have had a few inches of space, but it was limited. Luckily though, the ride wasn't too long, as it ended a minute after you had gotten in. You, Nemona, Penny, and Arven had exited the elevator to notice that when you got out, there was a large port to the Zero Gate that leads to Area Zero. You all walked towards the port and as soon as each of you stood there, the voice returned.

*Biometric Identification In Progress... Identities confirmed.*

The door opened, "Access granted to lower level."

Nemona clasped her hands together once again, "Oooh! It opened for us automatically!"

Penny pushed her glasses up on her face, "Not quite... Looks to me someone's controlling this thing remotely."

You stared in awe at the clouds as they covered the creater, like it was a blanket or a shield protecting it from the cold. The wind blew in your face and made your (h/c) hair flow in the wind. Though, it gave you shivers to what would happen if you took a wrong step.

"Once you step through, you will be above Area Zero." Everyone then looked towards you, "(Y/n)... You have bought Miraidon with you?"

You nodded, "Yep, they're right here..." You said as you held out its Pokéball and held I close to your chest.

"I thank you for bringing it with you on your many adventures. If you utilize Miraidon's gliding capabilities, you should be able to descend into the depths to reach Area Zero."

Penny seemed questioned by this statement, "What? Isn't there, like, an elevator or something? And wait, did you say Miraidon can fly?!"

Professor Turo's voice once again spoke, "When you reach the bottom, I will get in touch once again. I hope your trip is uneventful."

You didn't know why, but that just made you feel like something was going to happen.

Arven, on the other hand... Let's just say, if looks could kill, he'd be charged for a triple crime right now...

"... Railroading people into stuff, just like always." He grumbled out.

Nemona, excited as always, spoke, "I can't wait to see what Pokémon live down in Area Zero! Let's go!" She then rushed to the port, energy irradiated from every step she took.

Penny was shocked by her energy, "That girl... Is she, like, incapable of fear or what?" She then walked towards the port as well, leaving both you and Arven to be alone for only a moment.

You felt like you should've said something, but Arven had beaten you to the point, "I guess we'd better go, too..." He said, walking off to the port to wait for you and Miraidon to be ready.

You sighed a silent sigh, then looked to Miraidon as it looked at you from it's ball. It looked at you worried, and turned to you as you calmly spoke, "I hope he'll be okay..."

Miraidon whimpered, giving you a empathetic look from its ball, as you walked towards the others. Nemona was waiting excitedly to see Miraidon, Penny was just waiting, and Arven... He looked lost in thought, until you walked up to them.

"(Y/n)!" He spoke after falling out of his thoughts, "Ready for the worst?"

You nodded, putting on a facade to hide the fact that the fall scared you a little, especially since you didn't think Miraidon would be able to hold four people, "Ready as always!"

"Good! That's all we needed to hear! Get out that Pokémon of yours, then we'll be off..."

Miraidon, hearing it's name being called out by Arven, popped out of the ball, as if it thought he had a sandwich to give it.

"... W-Well, that was easy-" You said jokingly, trying to get over the fear of something was going to happen.

Miraidon then walked over to the port and stared off into the distance of it, processing about where you'd just brought it, then growling with fear in its voice and backing away.

"What's wrong with it?" Nemona asked watching it sit down and cower with fear.

"Hmph..." Arven smirked as he put his hands on his hips, "Scared of heights... That's what I would say!" Miraidon growled as Arven hopped onto its back.

Nemona then smiled as well. "Well, no wonder!" She said as she got onto Miraidon's back as well, "But there's no need to be scared if we go together!"

Penny got onto Miraidon's back as well, "How does that logic even work?"

With each person that got onto Miraidon's back, it pushed it further and further off of the port's edge, and then standing on two legs attempting to keep itself away from the edge, but failing as it started falling back on four, you rushing to get to them before they could fall without you.

"Get on!" Arven yelled as you reached out your hand, hoping you would be able to make it. Time seemed to be going into slow motion as your thoughts started rushing through your head as you thought you weren't gonna make it.

They were interrupted when you felt your wrist being clasped by a large, soft hand. You looked into his eyes, a small blush complimenting your features. You wished this moment would last forever...

But unfortunately, Miraidon was falling forwards, so that couldn't happen.

You tried to hold in a scream as Arven yelled as you all fell towards Area Zero, Miraidon, after a few seconds, finally folding out its wings allowing it to glide freely through the clouds, and allowing Arven to pull you towards him and sitting you down right in front of him.

Your heart was beating from both fear and excitement, "Holy Arceus. Holy Arceus. Holy Arceus-!" You could feel arms wrap around your waist as you internally panicked.

"It's okay, (Y/n), I've got you." Arven said as he held you, "You don't have to be afraid anymore."

This made you feel a little less scared than you originally were as you all fell down past the clouds, going into Area Zero...

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After making it to your destination, all of you hopped off of Miraidon as it shook in fear, and Arven looking around the area with an almost nostalgic, but resentful look, spoke, "... And now I'm back here again."

"Hah... Hah..." Penny said with adrenaline rushing through her veins, "I think I might've died once or twice there..."

Miraidon looked around the area, seemingly still afraid as it curled up and growled fearfully, "Agia gia..."

You pet Miraidon's head in an attempt to calm it down, "It's gonna be okay, bud..."

Miraidon stared at you with small tears in its eyes, then roaring as it went back into its ball.

"Miraidon!" You said with concern taking out its Pokéball, "What's wrong?"

... No answer. Maybe it's still scared from the heights.

"It... chose to go back into its ball?" Penny asked.

"It's probably hungry or something." Arven responded walking over towards you. You had a small hope that that was the problem, but at the same time, you knew that wasn't the problem.

Suddenly you realized something, "It's a little bit quiet... Too quiet..."

You, Arven, and Penny looked around, wondering why it was that way. It was only 5 minutes later when Arven finally realized who was missing, "Wait a second- Where's the student council girl!?!"

You all started looking around for her, Penny spoke, worry in her voice, "Wha-? She's gone! You don't think she...?"

Suddenly, she was interrupted by a loud yelling voice. It was Nemona. "E-everyone! You have to see this!"

All three of you looked to where her voice was, then saw her running towards you all, "Area Zero is AMAZING!" She said, an excited aura irradiating from her, "Come on already!"

Penny sighed, "Guess your ability would be Own Tempo, huh..."

The voice from earlier returned, coming from your Rotom Phone, the Piplup case you got from a friend in another region facing you as it flew to get all four of you in camera view.

*Biometric Identification In Progress...
Four Humans identified. Condition satisfactory. Vital signs all within normal range.*

Professor Turo's voice returned once again, "It appears you were able to make the descent unharmed."

"Hah! Yeah! Smooth sailing! Who can complain about a landing like that!" Arven said sarcastically, before Turo could continue.

"That is good. I had concerns you might fail, given the cruedness of the only available access message." Seems like he didn't understand sarcasm.

"Hm...?" Arven hummed in confusion.

"I think your dad's sarcasm detector needs fixing..." Penny commented.

Nemona clasped her hands together for the millionth time, "Aw, you were worried about us? That's so sweet!"

Nemona wasn't looking at you, so you just face-palmed.

"You should now make your way to me at the deepest part of Area Zero. However... The entrance to the lab is barred by four locks, installed on the exterior, which I cannot unlock."

"Four locks?" Penny said, putting an hand on her head.

"On your way to me, you must visit four research stations that were constructed inside the creater." You heard your phone ping as he continued, "At each station, you will be able to disable one of the four locks. Do so as you make your way down. I hope you succeed." Your Rotom Phone then shut off, and flew back into your backpack.

"Yesssss! Let's disable the locks and get into that lab! Sounds kinda video-gamey when you say it out loud, huh?" Nemona cheered out suddenly, "Come on, time to find our way to the deepest part of Area Zero!" You all nodded and walked forwards, Penny, Nemona, and Arven following suit. You took in all the sights and looked at the Pokémon that lived around the area, Girafarigs, Jumpluffs, etc.

As you walked forward, you could hear your friends talking beside you.

Penny: "So this is the inside of the Great Creater of Paleda- Area Zero... Feels different just seeing it in our textbooks. It's so intense..."

Nemona: "Normally we'd never be able to get in here to see it for ourselves! Huh...? Wait, where'd Miraidon go?"

Arven: "It seems like it got spooked by something. It's hiding in its ball."

Nemona: "En serio? That's not good."

P: "Can we even get back up to the surface without it?"

A: "Ah, should be all right. The last time I was here... I caught a Flying Taxi out of the creater. They always come through, if you're a real sob story..."

You remembered when he told you about his Mabosstiff getting fatality damaged in this place and how the damage was so much, that even the Pokémon Center and Potions couldn't help, and that the reason why he needed your help was so that he could find all Herba Mysticas to make sandwiches so that he could heal Mabosstiff's condition.

P: "Why didn't you just call the Professor, if she's down here? Don't get along or something?"

A: "Tch! None of your business, pipsqueak!"

P: "Geez, no need to bite my head off. What're you getting all huffy for anyway?"

N: "OK, come on you two! This is an adventure! Let's just have a good time!"

He seemed to be getting irritated by the second, so you softly grasped his hand in yours. You could feel him tense up for a moment at your touch, but then relax as he took a small breath, and walked with his hand in yours.

Sooner or later, Nemona and Penny started talking again, but this topic was a topic that made you feel happy to remember.

N: "So, Penny! How'd you end up friends with (Y/n), anyway?"

P: "Huh? Well, uh... I guess she just really came through for me when I needed her. Everything was going off the rails. School was a mess, and my friendships... well, ditto. (Y/n) was a big help getting all of that sorted out."

N: "Guau! So she helped you out too while she was tackling all the Gyms? That's awesome!"

P: "What about you, Nemona?"

N: "(Y/n) and I are classmates! Neighbors back at home, too! Plus, I said she should aim to be a Champion, and she did it! So now I get to have a Champion bud!"

P: "Wait, what!? That's wild..."

A: "Hold it right there, you two!"

He let go of your hand as he spoke up.

A: "You think YOU'VE got cool friendship origin stories with (Y/n)? They're nothing compared to what me and her went through! Our friendship's on another level!"

You could feel yourself blush at that sentence. Nemona noticing your face as she made an 'o' shape with her mouth.

P: "Um, nobody asked you. Stop trying to flex on us."

N: "Hahaha! Guess we're all in the best buds with (Y/n) club!"

After the conversation ended though, you saw Nemona pull Penny behind you and Arven for quick moment as Arven interlocked his hand with yours once again.

You didn't know why Nemona pulled Penny behind, but you just continued walking with Arven, the two girls talking behind you. You could swear that you heard Penny whisper yell a small 'Really!?'

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Finally, after a few moments of walking, you all saw a large building up ahead. Must be one of the four labs Professor Turo talked about.

"Oh! I bet that's what we're looking for!" Nemona walked up to the building to get an even closer look, then nodded, "That must be one of the buildings the Professor was talking about!"

You all walked up and stood by her as Arven responded, "Oh yeah, what were they called? Radish Rations?"

You snickered a bit, trying not to laugh at the fact he forgot what the name of of the stations were, "What did you just call them?"

Arven looked to you with confusion, "Uh, Radish Rations?"

You laughed, "That is not what they are at all!"

Penny shook her head in disappointment, "... Research stations."

Arven huffed, "Hmph. Well, I was close."

You were just smiling at how he got when he got something wrong, it was cute...

Wait, no (Y/n), stop. Not right now. You've got a mission. You've got to pay attention!

Nemona complimented Penny on her great memory, while Penny scoffed about how her common sense was better than all three of yours.

Suddenly, you heard a Pokémon hover in front of you, it's flower-like body flowing in the wind as it stood in front of you to stop you from continuing. Nemona stepped up to it, as you did as well, pulling out your Quaqualva as the Pokémon made a low noise.

"Stand back! We've got this." You said as Nemona nodded.

"That's a Pokémon La Primera uses! I didn't think they could be found here!" Nemona said as she sent out her Lycanroc.

Arven yelled to you, "Be careful, (Y/n)!"

You nodded, your Quaqualva already preparing to use Aqua Step on the Flower Pokémon.

*You know what? Time Skip to past the battle cause I'mma save my imagination. Sorry if you wanted the fighting part with Nem Nem. q.q*

After you finished defeating the Glimmora, Nemona spoke, "Are there gonna be a lot more of these Pokémon down here, you think?"

You nodded, "I suspect so... This place reminds me of a movie I saw when I was little. I think it was called Fossil Park or something like that?"

Nemona clasped her hands together, "Oh, I saw that movie! That was a good one!"

Arven and Penny walked back towards you and Namona as you turned around signifying your victory.

"You think that was terrifying? Please. You've got no idea how terrifying Area Zero really is." Arven said as he walked towards you, making sure you weren't hurt by any of the aftermath of the battle.

Penny looked to Arven with a dull look, "Wow, patronizing much?"

Nemona intercepted the argument, "Easy, you two! Let's just head inside the research station."

After walking into the research station, you felt a sense of dread loom over you, two books were lying on top of a counter, a bed sat near it, and a control panel in front of the counter.

"Wow! Are these ancient ruins?!" Nemona exclaimed.

Penny looked around the place, studying the layout, "They look far too recent for that."

Soon after, Professor Turo's voice played through the PA system of the research station. "It appears you have reached your first research stations without incident. This facility was constructed 87years ago as a way station for those surveying Area Zero."

"So that's why there's a bed!" Nemona exclaimed, "Looks like we can use this place to rest up if we need to!"

Professor Turo continued, "(Y/n), if you would be so kind as to disable the first lock on the lab using that central panel."

You reluctantly nodded, as you walked up to the button and hovered your hand over it, you looked at Arven, then back at the button as you pressed your hand onto the panel. Afterwards you heard a clicking noise through the lab.

The screen flashed a text box saying, 'Lock disabled. Three of four locks are still active."

"Well done." Turo said, "Please continue your efforts at the remaining research stations."

Arven only stood there, eyes closed and staring at the ground as the PA system cut off, while you only stared, wanting nothing more then to make him happy.

After exiting the research station, you and the others continued walking. It was a silent walk, the only sound that was made was the occasional sounds of multiple Pokémon noises and your footsteps on the grass. You and Arven were holding hands again, and Nemona pulled Penny back again, leaving you and Arven to walk in front of them.

-------

"Penny!" Nemona whispered quietly to Penny, "We have to get them together!"

Penny looked to Nemona, "How are we even supposed to do that? It's not like we can do anything to help out."

Nemona sighed, "Not with that attitude! Come on, we can just split up into two groups find the next station, and me and you can team up, and they can team up and spend some time together!"

Penny seemed reluctant to go on with the idea, "I don't really know if that would be a good idea... I mean, what if one of us gets hurt?"

Nemona waved her hand, "That won't happen! We've got our Pokémon with us, and they're strong enough to protect us!" She then pulled Penny's hands into hers, "Come on, Pen! You can tell they really care for each other! I mean, I know, you probably don't care since (Y/n) likes Arven, and you and him aren't on good terms, but look at them!"

Penny looked at (Y/n) and Arven and no longer saw them just holding hands, but Arven's arm was draped over (Y/n)'s shoulder as she nuzzled into him. They said they were just 'best friends,' but they acted like so much more and the longing for each other shown in their eyes every time they've been unable to hold hands or when not near each other. It's like they were perfect for each other...

Penny sighed, "Fine, but only cause I owe (Y/n), and cause she's one of my best friends... But if any of us get hurt, I'm blaming you. Got it?"

Nemona smiled, "Yes, yes, yes!!!" She said excitedly, "Then let's start phase one of Operation: Heart Mend!"

"Really? Heart Mend?"

"What? It's a good name! Besides we're trying to get them together and so we're mending their hearts together~!"

"... Nemona now that just sounds like we're plotting to make them into a movie monster."

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◇I'mma just make this a two parter, if that's okay- Mostly cause I'm pretty sure this is reaching a large number of words, and I've been working on this one in class after finishing work for about two days trying to get it to be a perfect one-shot. I'll work on part two in a little while after I work on the next request, so be expecting that soon!
For now though, I hope for now this suffices, and that you liked it!◇

☆~Awna're out~!☆