Summer break was a fun and relaxing time for the children and their Pokemon in the Galar region. It is a time to hang out with their friends by playing in the park, playing video games, or having Pokemon battles. Some would go on vacation overseas and see scores of Pokemon they had never seen before. When the last day before the new school year arrived, there was a variation of annoyance and dread for the kids in Postwick and Wedgehurst. Everyone loathed having to stop having fun every day to return to school. Everyone except Timothy.

Timothy spent the morning on the last day of summer break going through his newspaper route with a confident smirk. His Pokemon partner, a Pikachu nicknamed Electchu, sat on the back seat of Timothy's Rotom Bicycle. While Timothy drove his bike and tossed newspapers to houses on the right side of the block, Electchu threw newspapers to houses on the left side using its tail as a catapult. From their house in Postwick to the streets of Wedgehurst, Timothy zoomed through his route, not missing a house despite how fast he was going on his Rotom Bicycle.

Timothy hit the brakes when Timothy and Electchu tossed newspapers to the last two houses on opposite sides. His Rotom Bicycle stopped so abruptly that Eletchu nearly lost its balance. Timothy held up his watch and stopped the timer before they left the house.

"Ha! Gone through the entire route in less than 30 minutes. I told you we could break our record on our last day," Timothy boasted.

"Pikachu," Electchu chirped.

"Wanna see if we can get to Sonia's and give Professor Magnolia the last paper before Coovers gets there?" Timothy asked.

"Pika!" Electchu replied enthusiastically.

Timothy grinned and began pedaling rapidly. Halfway through, they stopped by the newspaper stand, where the owner paid Timothy for the last time. As they rode northeast toward the outskirts of Wedgehurst, Timothy, and Electchu waved hello to neighbors walking down the street and a flock of Rookidee flying opposite above them.

Suddenly, just as Timothy was about to turn at a 2-way intersection, an ice cream truck came screeching to a halt right in front of him. Its light blue paint was faded in some areas, and the donut wheel on the front right side was smaller than was required to support a truck of its size. Timothy stopped his bicycle just inches from hitting the truck and saw a bald, scrawny man dressed in a wrinkly pink uniform in the driver's seat and a Vanillite floating beside them through the open door.

"Good morning, Durbin. Can I interest you in some ice cream?" the bald man asked with a wide grin.

"Vanillite," Vanillite greeted.

"Morning, Luke. I don't recall you going on your route until the afternoon," Timothy said, pretending to be unfazed by the man and his Pokemon suddenly appearing in front of him and Electchu.

"I thought I'd start early," Luke said. "Perhaps you'd like a scoop?"

"No thanks. Electchu and I had breakfast before going on our route," Timothy said.

"Pikachu," Electchu said.

"Oh, come now. There's plenty of room for ice cream. I think you'll like this new flavor I made myself," Luke said before adding with a mischievous grin. "It's called 'Cold Hard Revenge.'"

Vanillite's cheerful smile turned into a grin that matched its partner's. It cackled as the inside of its mouth glowed light blue before it took a deep breath. Timothy and Electchu's eyes widened and Timothy began pedaling again, moving the bike away, before Vanillite unleashed a wind of light blue sparkles from its mouth. Luke slammed on the gas, and his tires screeched for a few seconds before it raced toward the paperboy and his Pikachu.

"You can't escape my wrath, Durbin!" Luke shouted through his truck's speakers. "I'm gonna make you scream, and it ain't gonna be for ice cream!"

"It's been five months, Luke! Let it go!" Timothy shouted, looking back.

Luke responded by honking his horn repeatedly as if to intimidate Timothy and Electchu. Timothy took a sharp turn to a narrow, downward alley just as Luke was going to hit him with his front bumper. He stopped pedaling and let his bike ride down the slope with Electchu holding onto him by his shirt.

"After them! Knock them out with Tackle!" Luke shouted.

Vanillite levitated out of the truck and rushed toward Timothy and Electchu. Timothy looked back again to see Vanillite and steered left in time to avoid the icy snow Pokemon. Vanillite tried again, and Timothy steered right to dodge it. The third time, Timothy ducked before Vanillite could hit his head. The ice snow Pokemon growled in irritation and took a deep breath to use Icy Wind again.

"Electchu, use Thunder Shock, quick!" Timothy shouted.

Electchu's cheeks glowed yellow, and then it released multiple lightning bolts from its body. Vanillite was so focused on preparing its attack that it couldn't react before the bolts hit it. Timothy cheered and Electchu stuck out its tongue just as they reached the end of the steep alley. Vanillite clenched its teeth and levitated higher so the street at the end of the alley was in view. A light blue orb of energy formed in front of Vanillite and it fired multiple light blue beams from the orb.

The beams hit the road and covered it in a field of ice. Timothy yelped and grabbed the brakes, but it was too late. As soon as Timothy and Electchu got onto the ice, Timothy's Rotom Bicycle slipped, and they fell off, landing on their sides. Timothy scraped his arm, and Electchu's left side was bruised. Vanillite used Ice Beam again, and Electchu managed to jump away, but a beam hit Timothy's feet while still lying on his side. The beam covered Timothy's feet and legs in a block of ice attached to the ice on the road. Timothy hopelessly tried to break out of the ice with what little movement he could produce with his upper body. Electchu rushed over to its partner, trying not to slip, and wished it knew how to use moves like Iron Tail to free its friend.

As Timothy struggled, Luke caught up in his truck, stopping in front of the ice field. With a triumphant grin, he got out of his truck and pet Vanillite on the head. Electchu stood on all fours, with electricity coming from its red cheeks.

"If I were you, Durbin, I'd tell your Pikachu to stand down," Luke said. "It can barely stand on the ice, and even if it beats my Vanillite, there is no way it can free you from the ice.

"We're not backing down to a lazy, quick-tempered man-child," Timothy said, still struggling. "Electchu, Thunder Shock!"

Electchu unleashed multiple lightning bolts again, and they hit Vanillite. The fresh snow Pokemon groaned with its eyes shut, and then it and Luke deathly glared at Electchu, sharing unrelenting hate.

"Ice Beam!" Luke shouted.

"Electchu, use Quick Attack to dodge! Get off the ice!" Timothy shouted.

With its body covered in a white outline, Electchu nearly slipped and fell before it dodged Vanillite's attack. It ran to the sidewalk, where it had better footing to dodge more beams with inhuman speed. Vanillite continued using Ice Beam to no avail as Electchu jumped and rammed it in the face.

"Use Tail Whip followed by Thunder Shock!" Timothy shouted.

Electchu circled around the ice cream truck, past Luke, and jumped toward Vanillite from behind. Vanillite turned around to face Electchu before Electchu began slapping it with its tail repeatedly in mid-air. Timothy's partner then shocked it with electric beams a third time, and Vanillite screamed in agony as the attack hurt more with its defense lowered.

"Blow it away with Icy Wind!" Luke screamed.

Before Electchu could react, Vanillite unleashed another wind of light blue sparkles while it was still in midair. The wind sent Electchu flying in the air and landing on the ice. Vanillite followed by repeatedly slamming itself on top of Electchu. Luke didn't order his partner to use Tackle, but he didn't care so long as Timothy witnessed his Pikachu being punished on his behalf. Vanillite slammed into Electchu eight times before leaving his opponent to lay on the ice, barely conscious.

"Electchu!" Timothy shouted.

Timothy reached out for Electchu, disregarding that he couldn't move half his body. Luke and Vanillite laughed maniacally, and then the former went back to his truck and took a 2-gallon-sized container of ice cream. He walked over to Timothy, careful not to slip on the ice, then opened the lid, revealing half-melted mint chocolate ice cream.

"I left this one out of the cooler on purpose, but I assure you it will be quite cold, Durbin," Luke said. "Here's a whole container of your least favorite ice cream on the house."

Timothy held his hands up in defense as Luke lifted the container over his head. But as Luke prepared to pour the ice cream all over Timothy, an Oshawott ran toward Luke from behind, holding its scalchop. The scalchop produced a light blue aura, forming an energy blade. Oshawott jumped into the air until it was above Luke and, with a flip, cut the container straight down the middle with its scalchop. The container split open, and the ice cream spilled on top of Luke.

The ice cream man screamed as he felt the cold substance cover his body. Timothy was momentarily taken aback by what had suddenly happened before he laughed at his enemy. Oshawatt used Razor Shell again to slash at Vanillite and then break the ice, trapping Timothy's lower body. Timothy scooped up Electchu and crawled out of the ice with Oshawott.

Once he was off the ice, Timothy stood up to find a 15-year-old boy on his Rotom bicycle in front of him. The boy wore a black T-shirt with a blue, curved "G" at the center, dark brown pants, and a green cap with goggles. The boy shook his head and smirked before getting off his bicycle and offering Timothy his hand. Timothy smiled as he accepted the boy's hand, and the boy lifted him up.

"Looks like I came just in time," the boy said.

"I don't know, Coovers. A couple minutes earlier wouldn't have hurt," Timothy said. "How did you find us?"

"You mean apart from seeing blue sparkles and sparks of electricity flying in the air a couple of blocks away?" Coovers asked. "Half the neighborhood can hear Luke."

Timothy chuckled and turned to Luke, who was wiping ice cream from his face. Luke gave the teenagers a dark look, with his face red. Vanillite clenched its teeth at Oshawott, who was still armed with its scalchop. Electchu half opened its eyes and released a soft "Pikachu" to support Coovers' Pokemon partner.

"Woodward, this doesn't concern you," Luke growled.

"Really? Cause I think messing with my best friend makes this plenty my concern," Coovers said. "For that matter, how are you not fired again? Does no one else want to be an ice cream man around here?"

"Heh, what can you do?" Luke said with a halfhearted shrug before turning to Vanillite. "Ice Beam!"

"Dodge it!" Coovers shouted.

Oshawott jumped away before several blue beams could hit it. Vanillite used Ice Beam several times but to no avail and began to tire from using so much energy. It fired one more set of beams before it took a moment to catch its breath, giving Coovers and Oshawott their chance.

"Oshawott, use Tackle!" Coovers shouted.

Oshawott ran toward Vanilluxe and rammed it with its head. Luke's partner groaned, feeling woozy and wobbling in the air.

"Now, use Razor Shell!" Coovers shouted.

Oshawott armed itself with its scalchop again and struck Vanillite three more times. Its opponent wailed as it struggled to stay conscious. Vanillite tried to levitate toward Oshawott for a Tackle before it fainted and hit the ground like an anvil.

"Alright, Oshawott!" Timothy shouted, shaking his fist.

"Pi...ka...chu," Electchu said weakly.

Luke stood stunned at the sight of Vanillite lying on the street with swirly eyes. He growled as he took out Vanillite's Pokeball and put Vanillite back in. Coovers smirked and turned his Rotom Bicycle into a phone to take a picture of the hot-headed ice cream man covered in mint chocolate ice cream. Luke turned to Coovers, hearing his phone take a picture, and growled at the boy half his age like a grumpy four-year-old.

"It's not fair! Your Pokemon is a weakling. How can it keep taking down my powerful Vanillite?" Luke whined.

"'Cause you're sloppy and predictable," Coovers said matter-of-factly. "Plus, Electchu using Tail Whip weakens your Vanillite's defense, which makes taking it down easier. You may not want to acknowledge it because it's not an offensive move, but it's true."

Luke opened his mouth to protest, but he couldn't deny the facts even in his bitter rage. He turned to Timothy and stormed toward him with his hands turned into balls of fists, but in his eagerness, he didn't realize he was stepping onto the ice. As his shoes drenched in melted ice cream stepped on the ice, Luke slipped and landed flat on his face with a thud. The teenagers and their Pokemon laughed as Luke crawled back to his truck, covering his nose. He used the truck's bumper to stand back up and pointed at Timothy.

"Mark my words, Durbin. You can't rely on your friends to save you forever," he snarled. "You and your pathetic Pikachu will pay if it's the last thing I do."

Luke returned to his truck, turned on the ignition, and backed away from the ice before turning around and driving away. Timothy, Coovers, Electchu, and Oshawott watched until the truck was out of sight. Then, Timothy sighed and held Electchu up to face him.

"Are you okay, pal?" Timothy asked.

"Pikachu," Electchu said, shaking its head.

"I'm sorry, Electchu. I wish I could've done better," Timothy said.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up, Timbo. You and Electchu are improving," Coovers said. "After all, you're smart enough to weaken Vanillite's defense with Tail Whip. You two just need a little practice, so I don't have to be the one taking advantage of that."

"Oshawott," Oshawott agreed.

"I guess," Timothy said. "In any case, Sonia won't be happy that Luke almost got his revenge. She's worried enough as it is."

"Eh, worst case scenario I'll show her this picture of Luke covered in ice cream. Maybe that'll cheer her up," Coovers said, holding up the picture on his phone. "Speaking of which, let's get going. Professor Magnolia's expecting us to be there by now."

Timothy nodded and grabbed his Rotom Bicycle while Coovers turned his phone back into a bicycle. Together, they rode with Oshawott on Coovers' back and Timothy holding Electchu with one arm while holding onto his bicycle by the handle in the other. They went northeast to Route 2, where the road led to a large lake with an island in the middle. Around the lake was a two-story house, where a woman in her seventies with light brown hair sat on a bench in front of the house holding a hot cup of tea. She took a sip just before she noticed Timothy and Coovers riding toward the house. The old woman put her tea down on the bench and used her cane lying next to her to stand up to greet the boys and their partners.

"Boys, you're late," she said. "Care to explain why Electchu is covered in cuts and bruises, Timothy?"

"I had a little run-in with Luke after going through my route, Professor Magnolia," Timothy said while giving Professor Magnolia the last newspaper.

Professor Magnolia gave Timothy an edge of a frown before she sighed through her nose and shook her head.

"Honestly, that man," she said. "Go get a potion to treat those wounds. Sonia is inside. She'll know where they are. Then, get to feeding the Pokemon."

"Yes, ma'am," Timothy and Coovers said simultaneously.

They turned their Rotom Bicycles back into phones and went inside the house with Electchu and Oshawott. They turned left to the kitchen, where a girl their age was pouring Pokemon food into a bowl in front of a Yamper. She had peach hair tied to a side ponytail with heart-shaped hair clips and sunglasses hanging on her hair. Despite it being summer, she wore a tan trench coat that covered most of her teal crop top.

Sonia petted her Yamper as it ate its breakfast before she heard Timothy and Coovers enter. She smiled at the sight of her best friends until she saw the scratch on Timothy's arms, and Electchu barely conscious. Timothy grew uneasy as Sonia's eyes widened in shock, as though he and Pikachu had fought a war. Sonia raced toward them and scooped Electchu from Timothy's arms before touching his cheek.

"Timothy, what happened," Sonia asked. "Don't tell me Luke attacked you again."

"Fraid he did," Timothy said. "Would've been covered in ice cream, too, had Coovers and Oshawott not stepped in."

Coovers opened the picture of Luke covered in ice cream on his phone and held it up to Sonia. Sonia looked at the picture and covered her mouth to hide a giggle. Her laugh made Timothy smile as his oldest friend's laugh was as cute as she was, though he never told her. However, the moment was short-lived when Sonia looked at Electchu again and gently patted its head.

"Electchu, you poor thing," Sonia said. "Don't worry. We'll have you healed up in no time."

"Pikachu," Electchu said weakly.

Sonia walked to the medicine cabinet next to the refrigerator and looked through its contents with one hand while still holding Electchu with her other arm. After several seconds of searching, Sonia took out a potion and sprayed on Electchu's injuries. Cuts and bruises faded, and it took a moment before Electchu's face lit up in the blink of an eye. It jumped onto Sonia's shoulder to give her cheek a nuzzle as thanks, and Sonia laughed while petting its head. Electchu jumped off Sonia's shoulder and landed next to Yamper, who had just finished its breakfast. The Pokemon suggested playing tag in their language, and Oshawott followed them out of the house. Their trainers smiled as they watched the Pokemon leave before Timothy turned to Sonia.

"Thanks, Sonia," he said.

"You can thank me after I look at your injury, too," Sonia said authoritatively.

"Seriously? It's just a scratch," Timothy said.

"Yeah, it's not like he's bleeding or anything, Sonia," Coovers said.

Sonia held Timothy's arm up to her and eased up to find his scratch while long, barely damaged his skin. She momentarily smiled before she huffed and looked through the kitchen window in the direction of Wedgehurst.

"Covering you in ice cream. What is Luke going to think of next?" Sonia asked.

"Maybe Timbo's parents could file a restraining order or sue Luke," Coovers said.

"I doubt it would be worth it, Coovers. My parents don't have the money for an attorney, and even if they did, Luke wouldn't have the money to break even with what we'd spend on a lawsuit," Timothy said.

Coovers sighed and crossed his arms.

"Yeah, you're right. It's not like Luke has all the money to repurchase the land for Professor Magnolia," Coovers said.

In the blink of an eye, Timothy and Sonia looked down, despondent. Coovers covered his mouth with his eyes wide open as though he had insulted his friends with a foul word without thinking. Sonia looked out the window again, seeing her grandmother sipping her tea and reading her newspaper while watching Electchu, Oshawott, and Yamper chase each other in the front yard. Professor Magnolia glanced at the Pokemon a serene smile as though they made her forget her problems. Sonia then looked at the mail lying on the kitchen table with a letter with the word "final notice" stamped in red, intentionally put at the bottom of the pile. Timothy and Coovers looked at each other, with Timothy glaring at Coovers for bringing the matter up. Then, he forced a smile and put his arm around Sonia.

"Hey, none of that right now. It's the last day of summer break. We should make the most of it before our first day of high school," Timothy said.

Sonia gave Timothy a small smile and said, "You're right, Timothy. If Gran can enjoy herself just for today, then so should we."

"I second that," Coovers said. "Come on. Let's take care of the Pokemon so we can enjoy our last day."

The teenagers exited the house through the back door, where there was a green pasture as far as the eye could see. Scores of Pokemon were in the field, flying, playing in the grass, or swimming in the ponds. Wedgehurst and Postwick were not places with a large variety of wild Pokemon. People would come across tiny Pokemon like Hoothoot, Seedle, Chewtle, Rookidee, and Blipbug. A herd of Wooloo may pass by in the landscape between Wedgehurst and Postwick. But, while these Pokemon would cross Professor Magnolia's property, the Magnolia Paddock was better known for caring for other wild Pokemon. Occasionally, someone in town would find a Butterfree with a damaged wing, a Combee separated from its hive, or a Magikarp gasping for water after swimming from the lake it lived in at the Wild Area and found itself in a shallow river. When such Pokemon were found, they were brought to Professor Magnolia, who provided a home for the lost and injured Pokemon. Between the lost Pokemon and the Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble that lived with Professor Magnolia before being chosen as a trainer's first Pokemon, the Magnolia Paddock was a lively place that any Pokemon could call home.

Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia each took a large platform truck next to the back door containing stacks of Pokemon food bags and bowls. They went in different directions to cover more ground in feeding each Pokemon their breakfast. When the Pokemon were fed, they returned to the house, and Sonia grabbed a medical kit so they could check on the injured Pokemon. They began with a baby Eevee with a bruised left leg and a chipped ear, followed by a group of Magnamite with bent magnets and loose screws. After having lunch back at the house, they helped a Skwovet with a chipped tooth and checked the temperature of a Nickit suffering from a virus.

Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia cared for the Pokemon across the paddock until the sun began to set. When they returned to the house, Professor Magnolia was in the kitchen with Electchu, Yamper, and Oshawott. The Pokemon were eating their dinner, and the professor had spaghetti and garlic bread from a nearby restaurant delivered. Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia thanked Professor Magnolia for the meal and happily dug in while Professor Magnolia ate a sandwich with her tea. The teenagers leaned against their chairs, and Coovers patted his stomach when they finished dinner.

"Thanks for the meal, Professor. I don't know about Timbo or Sonia, but I needed that," Coovers said.

"It's the least I can do, Coovers," Professor Magnolia said. "I just wish I could pay you for your services again. I don't like you only getting paid through summer jobs and not here despite all the hard work you do."

"Hey, don't worry about it, Professor. You're Sonia's grandmother, and you have so many Pokemon to take care of," Timothy said. "As nice as getting paid is, we know why you can't pay us anymore. Besides, if we don't help you and Sonia take care of those Pokemon, then who will? Right, Sonia?"

"Right," Sonia said with a smile. "Honestly, Gran, I'm more worried about how you'll take care of the Pokemon once school starts."

Professor Magnolia frowned and said, "It won't be easy, but I'll manage. Besides, you kids are high schoolers now. You're going to a nice school in Motostoke. Advancing in your education is more important than worrying about me. Treasure the last few years of your childhood. You only get to be a high schooler once."

Sonia looked at her dear grandmother worriedly. As far as she was concerned, her schoolwork was hardly as important as helping Professor Magnolia care for the Pokemon in the Magnolia Paddock with her friends. Professor Magnolia took the last bite of her sandwich and drank the rest of her tea before she cleared her throat and stood up from her seat with her cane.

"I'm going to bed. Don't worry about the dishes. I'll take care of them in the morning," Professor Magnolia said. "And don't take too long to head home, boys. You have a big day ahead of you."

"We won't. Good night, Professor," Coovers said.

"Good night," Timothy said.

"Good night, Gran," Sonia said.

Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia watched Professor Magnolia go up the steps and waited until they heard her close her bedroom door. They gathered the plates, silverware, and Pokemon bowls and washed them as if in one mind. It was simple, but Sonia and her best friends couldn't bring themselves to let her grandmother deal with anything else. As far as they were concerned, every little bit helps.

After the dishes were put away, Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia went outside to the paddock with Electchu, Oshawott, and Yamper. They went up a hill far west of the field and sat under the tree at the top, with Sonia sitting between Timothy and Coovers. Oshawott and Yamper stood beside their partners while Coovers and Sonia played a game on their Rotom Phones. Sonia stuck her tongue out to the side as she tried to beat Coovers, but he constantly finished the game with the most points.

"Augh! I almost had it," Sonia said. "Best out of 23?"

"I don't know. I'm starting to get bored of winning," Coovers said mockingly.

Sonia scoffed and lightly punched Coovers' arm. Coovers laughed it off while Sonia pouted like a little child. After a moment, Coovers sighed and leaned his back against the tree. He looked up at the stars with a serene smile while Oshawott sat on his lap. His smile faded, and he hung his head, petting Oshawott.

"The last day of break is over," Coovers said.

Sonia frowned and sighed with slumped shoulders.

"Time flies when you're hard at work," she said before watching the wild Pokemon sleep in the field. "I don't know how I can think of high school when Gran is losing this place."

"Yeah, it really sucks," Coovers said. "I still can't believe someone would buy the deed under your gran's nose. Do they have any idea how important your gran and the paddock are?"

"Heck, if I know," Sonia said. "Either way, there's nothing to look forward to with high school. Right, Timothy?"

There was a pause before Sonia furrowed her brow and turned to Timothy. He was leaning his back against the tree and looking beyond the field. A train was passing by, heading north to Motostoke. Timothy watched with a smile while petting Electchu, who was napping on his lap. Sonia pouted and snapped her fingers before Timothy's face, startling him.

"Huh? What? What's going on?" Timothy asked.

"We were just discussing school," Sonia said. "I just said there's nothing to look forward to and asked if you agree."

Timothy stared at Sonia momentarily, then looked away from her awkwardly. Sonia and Coovers looked at each other, wondering if Timothy would say something embarrassing. Timothy rubbed his arm and bit his lip before turning to his friends.

"Actually, Sonia...I'm kinda looking forward to high school," he confessed.

"What?" Sonia asked.

"For real? Timbo, what could be so exciting about it?" Coovers asked. "It's gonna suck dealing with tests, and grades, and goodness knows how much homework, especially at a higher level of education."

"True, but there's all the cool stuff that we didn't get to experience going to school here in Wedgehurst," Timothy said. I mean, come on. We're gonna take the train to a school in one of the biggest cities in Galar. There will be kids who have Pokemon we've never seen in person. Think of all the afterschool activities we didn't have available before. And best of all, we have an opportunity to become popular."

Sonia, Coovers, Yamper, and Oshawott stared at Timothy as though he spoke random gibberish. Coovers covered his mouth to hide a snort, then laughed while holding his gut.

"You had me until that last part, Timbo," Coovers chortled. "That's one of the most out-there things I've ever heard."

"I agree with Coovers, Timothy," Sonia said. "We've never been popular, even in our old school. We don't have a chance even to be noticed at Motostoke High."

"Hey, come on, guys. Don't be like that," Timothy said. "Just because we weren't popular in our hometowns doesn't mean we don't have a shot out there. A new school outside of home means we have a chance to be popular at a time of our lives when being popular can mean something. We can be acknowledged for how great we are no matter where we are from. Coovers, you are the best Pokemon battler in Postwick to Wedgehurst. I'm sure the Pokemon battling club is a perfect opportunity to encounter real challenges, and you and Oshawott can really show what you're made of."

Coovers and Oshawott looked at each other before they smiled in agreement.

"I do like the idea of having better opponents than Luke," Coovers said. "Maybe Oshawott could battle so many strong Pokemon that it could evolve into a Dewott, maybe a Samurott before we graduate. That would be awesome."

"Oshawott!" Oshawott shouted before getting on all fours and growling, pretending to be a Samurott and earning chuckles from its friends.

"And, Sonia, why wouldn't you be popular?" Timothy said. "You're smart, kind, pretty, and the granddaughter of Galar's one and only Pokemon professor. For all we know, some of our peers got their Pokemon partners from your gran. And, who knows? With that kind of notoriety, they might want to help save Magnolia Paddock or meet and capture the Pokemon here so they can have new homes."

Sonia's cheeks turned pink as Timothy complimented her, and then she gave him a sweet look as he laid out possibilities of how they could help her grandmother and the wild Pokemon. Timothy reacted to her smile with a friendly grin until Coovers spoke up with an edge of a smirk.

"What about you, Timbo? What do you plan to do to be popular?" he asked.

"Er, I don't know yet," Timothy admitted, looking away and scratching his cheek. "But I'm sure I'll find some way to be known throughout the school. Either way, I believe we each can show how cool we are and be admired for it. If we're lucky, maybe we'll all find someone to date."

Coovers gave what Timothy said some thought before he began to daydream with a goofy smile. He looked at the sky and imagined a girl with curly blonde hair, then a tall, slim brunette with red highlights and pale skin like a hina doll. Coovers then imagined two girls hugging him, one on each side, and giggling while giving him flirtatious looks. Each image was more appealing than the last, as Coovers imagined all the pretty girls he might get together with.

Sonia, however, flinched as though somebody had slapped her. She looked down, focusing on petting Yamper so her friends wouldn't notice. She kept this up for several seconds before she looked up at Timothy, who was still looking at his friends with a confident smile. Sonia turned to Coovers, who was still daydreaming, then sighed and began playing with her hair with her finger.

"I guess it would be nice to go out with the right person," she said.

"Well, there you go," Timothy said. "Either way, I think your gran is right, Sonia. We only get to be high schoolers once, and I want to seize every opportunity to enjoy it."

"Well, if being optimistic can make you popular, you're off to a good start, Timbo," Coovers said, having snapped out of his daydreaming. "That said, I'd be a poor friend if I didn't tell you not to get your hopes up. Things don't work out that way just because you believe it can."

"Maybe, but finding out is part of the fun," Timothy said.

Sonia and Coovers looked at each other and smiled approvingly. Sonia then put her arms over Timothy and Coovers' shoulders and pulled them into side hugs.

"Well, whatever it's gonna be like, we''' face it together," she said.

Timothy's smile stretched to the sides of his face, and he wrapped his arm around Sonia to deepen the embrace. Sonia's cheeks turned pink again as she felt Timothy's hand on her side. Coovers smirked at Sonia's reaction while Timothy looked at his best friends.

"Together," Timothy said.

"Amen," Coovers agreed.

Timothy and Coovers scooted closer to Sonia until their sides were touching and Coovers wrapped his arm around Sonia's other side. Electchu remained asleep on Timothy's lap while Oshawott hopped onto Coovers' shoulder, and Yamper laid before Sonia's feet. Sonia sighed contentedly and rested her head on Timothy's shoulder while they and Coovers looked at the stars. Whatever lay in store, Timothy, Coovers, and Sonia were there for each other, and that alone gave hope in going to Motostoke High School.