Anastasia and Izziadora encountered a few trainers as they made their way to Professor Magnolia's. Izziadora still wasn't comfortable battling, especially by herself so the blonde let her tag team with her that way both of their starters could get some experience. It worked, but it wasn't a long term solution; Anastasia hoped this would at least build her confidence up. Sobble was a fast learner, but it won't get very far if Izziadora kept doubting herself. She really didn't want her to miss out on the Gym Challenge...

"Hey, Izzy? We've been out for a bit and since we're almost at the end of this route...you wanna snack on something?"

The brunette stared at her with wide eyes like a Smoochum's Baby Doll-Eyes. "Okay! Cut it with the eyes!" Anastasia sweatdropped as she pulled out a fresh bag of crisps. "This all I have for now, but at least it's the family size,"

As the two called out their partners for a break; two pairs of green eyes glinted mischievously in the underbrush. "Sobble, Scorbunny. These are for you," Anastasia said as she handed a bowl for the fire and water type to share. The two chirped in joy as they dug in happily. "And Izzy and I will share the-"

A loud yelp cut the blonde off. The four turned their heads to see a small Yamper limp out the woods before collapsing onto the route. "Oh my goodness!" Izziadora scrambled off the log they sat on and ran over to the injured electric type. The other three abandoned their snacks as they rushed over to help. "You poor thing, what happened to you?"

The Yamper whimpered weekly as Izziadora pulled it into her lap. "I don't see any physical wounds...maybe it was poisoned?" Anastasia asked. Izziadora shook her head, "There would've been a purplish-blue tint around her muzzle. I think she's just either really weak or dehydrated or-"

A loud crunch cut the brunette off. The four of them turned to see another Yamper practically buried into the bag of crisps. The bag fell off as it licked its lips in satisfaction, about to go at it for seconds it noticed the others staring at him. An awkward silence, saved for a few chirps from a flock of Rookidee swallowed the group. Thinking fast, Yamper grabbed the bag and scampered off.

"....Hungry."

"Oi! GET BACK HERE WIF MAH CRISPS YA CHEEKY SHIT!" Anastasia yelled as she chased after the electric pup. "Stasia! Wa--ahh!" Izziadora yelped as the Yamper she was holding earlier latched onto her blouse. "Hey! Get off me!"

Yamper held on as she snarled defiantly. Keeping at least one of the humans from pursuing her sibling. Having enough, Sobble knocked the electric off with a Pound attack from her tail.

"Sobble."

Yamper sneezed as she lifted herself up. Sobble stood her ground, ready for a fight. All she needed to send the wild pokemon packing was the word from Izziadora--

"Sobble, hold on! Don't hurt it!"

Sobble froze as she turned to look back towards Izziadora. Getting up the brunette made her way over to the electric type. "Hey, there's no need to get all worked up...everything's okay...ish,"

Yamper watched her warily as the brunette stood a good distance away. "You guys were hungry huh? That's why you robbed us," Izziadora asked. Yamper huffed in denial, but was betrayed by her growling stomach. The brunette laughed as it growled at the sound; pulling the bowl over to her she tossed some pieces at Yamper. "If you're hungry I don't mind sharing. I don't think Sobble minds either!"

Sobble cried out indignantly, but was shushed by Izziadora. Hesitantly. Yamper snatched a piece off the ground and retreated back to her spot. Licking her lips she continued to watch the pair before going back to snatch another. Izziadora continued repeating the process until Yamper was close enough to her. She held out another piece on her hand as the wild pokemon approached her. She smiled when Yamper began eating out of her hand; slowly she lowered her other hand onto Yamper's head and softly rubbed it. "That's a good girl...see? Nothing to worry about,"

Yamper yipped as her tail wagged from the attention she was getting. Sobble rolled her eyes as Anastasia and Scorbunny returned. "Oh, you're still here," Anastasia sighed, her shoulders releasing tension. "Yeah. Did you catch the little thief?" Izziadora replied as Yamper rolled onto her belly for scratches. Anastasia smirked as she flashed a Pokeball.

"Easy money. Ain't that right Scorbunny?"

"Scor!"

The blonde looked over to see the other Yamper. "You didn't catch it,"

"Better. I gained her trust!"

"...Izzy you can't Ranger your way into getting a pokemon. Toss a Pokeball at it or something!"

"How would you feel if I threw something at you?!"

"You do that practically everyday," Anastasia replied. Izziadora laughed, "Yeah! You right, you right!"

Yamper tilted her head as Izziadora stood up. "Sorry, Yamper, but I have to throw this at you in order for us to be friends,"

"STOP MAKING IT WEIRD!"

Standing a good distance away, Izziadora enlarged the pokeball and threw it. She stood up and turned towards Anastasia, "I missed."

"OBVIOUSLY. Try again,"

Just as Izziadora reached for another spare. Yamper scampered over to return the pokeball before running back to the other side. Anastasia snickered as Izziadora continued to miss; as the wild pokemon playfully returned it. It was so bad that the wild pokemon started taking it like it was a game. Izziadora groaned as Yamper waited in anticipation. "Stasia, I'm about to quit."

"You're not going anywhere until you catch it,"

"But I keep missing!"

"Then try, try, and try again! It's not going to come up and capture itself-"

Just as the blonde said that, the spare Pokeball on the ground pinged. They both stared at the pokeball, a mix of emotions evident on their faces. Izziadora picked up the pokeball and looked at Anastasia.

"I...I got it?"

All the blonde could do in that moment was facepalm. "I'm going to pretend that never happened. Let's go, we're just around the corner,"

Izziadora watched her leave before pocketing the pokeball. Sobble sighed as she hopped onto her trainer's shoulder to catch up with the blonde. The two encountered another trainer, which they made quick work with thanks to the Yamper siblings they caught. After that was done they finally arrived to see Leon and Hop outside with an elderly lady wearing a labcoat. "Oh, the himbo actually made it here before us," Izziadora snickered which caused Anastasia to elbow her to be quiet. Hop turned around and smiled when they approached, "Took you two long enough. HAve you caught any new Pokemon?"

"I got a pupper!" Izziadora cheered as she held Yamper's Pokeball up. "I caught a Yamper too--DAMN IT! I forgot to catch that damn Rookidee!"

Izziadora patted her friend with a smug look. "Don't worry Stasia, your next teammate will come to you when it's ready,"

The blonde glared at the brunette as they approached the other two figures. "So have you unraveled all the secrets of the Dynamax phenomenon yet?" they heard Leon ask. The older woman shook her head, "Oh goodness, no. The whole thing is still full of questions. I'd hoped that my granddaughter would take over my research, but..."

She trailed off as she noticed the three walk up. "Dear me, I'm sorry. I didn't even notice my guests! Welcome, young trainers! My name is Magnolia--please, please! Come inside, all of you!"

They all complied, filing into the kitchen. "Why, Hop dear. I see Wooloo has made some new friends."

She then turned towards Anastasia and Izziadora. "You must be Anastasia-and Izziadora! Oh look at you! You're the spitting image of your mother! You've grown so much! I hope you two didn't have any trouble receiving the pokedex from Sonia. I'm sure you'll have it completed in no time."

Izziadora chuckled nervously as she scratched her neck. As the conversation continued, a figure outside watched them. Its green eyes watched the group curiously; making sure to stay hidden within the bushes.

"Prii?"

"Professor, you have to help us convince Lee to endorse us!" Hop pleaded. Both females smacked him over the head. "You idiot! You couldn't wait another moment huh? At least not with your himbo of a brother here!"

"Himbo?"

"I'm terribly sorry. Hop is extremely impatient. Izziadora is a disappointment too," Anastasia apologized, causing both teens to complain loudly; which in turn made her raise her fist threateningly to silence them. Professor Magnolia chuckled warm heartedly before turning to Leon with a raised brow. "Well? Why don't you? They've got spunk-probably more than you and Sonia were once upon a time,"

Leon sighed, "They've only just started out...There's still loads they don't know yet! Also, you know the situation regarding Izzi-"

"Oi. Don't start that mess now Lee," Anastasia interjected. "Nono...let him speak Stasia. I'm curious if he has the same line of thinking as everyone else," Izziadora said bitterly. "Izziadora, it's nothing against you, but if anything were to happen to you--Some of us just think that you can't handle the stress of being a trainer. I saw your hesitation during that battle; you're afraid and..."

"...You people are aware that i live with an Aerodactyl right? Like a huge one. That could kill me. EASILY."

"Aegle and Dynamax pokemon--especially wild ones are dangerous. Far more than Aegle who has been domesticated. I'm not saying you can't partake in the Gym Challenge, but consider a different path of trainer that won't overwhelm you,"

"You guys aren't even giving her a chance..."

"Yeah! We can't just--it won't be the same without Izzy. Stasia will just wipe the floor with me if I'm her only rival!" Hop protested. "I get you guys are worried, but I promised Izzy's dad that I'd look after her and here you are making my job harder. How am I supposed to look after her if she's not with me?"

"The Gym Challenge is something every trainer has to experience on their own. There's no Double battling your way to the top-"

"Well of course, but you're being quite the ableist. Izzy is dyslexic not blind. She's not helpless, she just needs time," Anastasia argued. Hop looked around and noticed something was amiss. "Um...Stasia?"

"Which is why I don't want to endorse you three, you aren't ready,"

"Says the himbo who went on a journey when he was five to six years younger than us!"

"What's with you kids calling me a himbo?!"

"What with you adults treating my best friend like she's some helpless extra? Do you guys even know how she feels being isolated all the time? Being excluded because everyone thinks it's better that way? How in Arceus's divine name would any of you know what's best for her?!"

"Stasia-"

"Hop, let me finish before Trop Kick your himbo brother-"

"Okay, well just thought you'd like to know that Izzy isn't here anymore."

Anastasia froze, "she's what?"

She frantically looked around and saw that the brunette was indeed missing. Pissed and worried she ran out to pursue her friend.

"Stasia! Wait for me!"

Right as Anastasia was outside and about to call out to her friend, her surroundings froze. The birdsong stopped, the grass was no longer moving, even she herself was frozen.

"What?"

"Prii! Prii!"

A small pink pokemon appeared in front of her. It blinked at her owlishly as it tilted its head, appraising her. With a careless shrug it cried out as a green aura surrounded it and the blonde. Before Anastasia could protest, she and the creature vanished. Time resumed right as Hop appeared outside.

"Huh...could've sworn I heard Stasia out here a moment ago..."

The blonde awoke with a jerk, she looked around to see that she was surrounded by trees. Standing up she looked for any familiar landmarks, the place felt like Route 2, but it wasn't.

"Where--Aah! Shit!"

Anastasia jumped as a barrage of needles attacked the tree next to her. The sounds of buzzing was heard as she noticed a swarm of angry Beedrill surrounding her. "Ah fuck..."

There was no way Scorbunny and Yamper could take on a whole swarm she thought. So, she did what any other sensible person would've done.

She ran like hell.

Screaming and swearing she jumped over obstacles on the forest floor. Looking and calling for help. She figured she could find the river and jump into it to lose them, but she saw no water around her. A loud roar knocked her over, allowing the swarm to catch up. Before they could attack her, a blast of fire blew the swarm back; Anstasia looked up to see a very large lion like pokemon tower above her. It roared again at the swarm; flames flickering across its body. The swarm buzzed angrily before flying off back to their grotto. The pokemon snorted before lowering its body, allowing a petite female to slide off its back.

"Fair lady, are you unharmed?"

Anastasia's blood went cold.

Meanwhile, Hop continued searching for the brunette. Hop didn't understand the adults' concern. As far as he could tell, there was nothing wrong with the girl. Was she weird? No question about it, but she wasn't unable to do anything; she just needed some encouragement. Especially after she came back from Ranger School in Almia; in a way, they were pretty similar. Their families both had a set of expectations they wanted them to meet. Izzy's wanting her to be a successful Pokemon Ranger like her dad and Hop trying to live up to the expectations Leon had met. Crossing the bridge towards Wedgehurst; he noticed someone sitting along the bank.

Watching the river flow as the sky began to glow orange. She seemed lost in thought with a vacant smile on her face; as if she was trying to convince herself of something. Hop made his way over to her and cautiously approached her; comforting wasn't something he was experienced with. Anastasia was always the one looking after them, but now she was nowhere to be found at the moment. "Don't be a stranger, Hop. Sit," Izziadora said, patting the spot next to her. Hop sat down as she began to speak.

"Did you know Corsola is endangered in some parts of the world? Galar and Alola especially. Mareanie has a 1.8% higher population than most of the Corsola in Alola; being its prime predator it's been overhunting the species for the last couple of years. The Aether Foundation has rescued and taken some in hopes to conserve the species as well as encouraging trainers to capture more Mareanie."

"Well, that's smart?"

"In some ways, but what about the Mareanie? Is it fair to cull an entire species to preserve another? Yes, Mareanie are fierce predators, but it's their poison that proves more dangerous to the environment. Corsola that survived being attacked have to live with that poison in them; over time it begins to make them sick. Bleaching their colors and passing on other illnesses to their offspring. Not to mention the effects it has on coral reefs; which have also suffered because of humanity. That is also what the Corsola of Galar are; descendants of the surviving Corsola that made their way here, yet our waters don't carry the same PH level, so instead, they just changed their typing to acclimate better here. In a way carrying that poison all their lives led them to be reborn in a place where they can be safe. Even if it meant destroying themselves to become something new..."

Hop stared off into the distance as Izziadora continued. "In a way...I'm like those Corsola. I'm constantly destroying myself to be someone else because all anyone sees is the poison underneath. That I need to be protected because I'm helpless. Yet, when I adapt to the changes; they just still see the person I used to be instead of the me I want to be...well everyone except Stasia..."

"I don't think you're either of those things,"

Izziadora looked at Hop apathetically. "To be honest, I thought a bit about what Lee said earlier. He's my brother and all, but what he said is similar to what I've heard the others say, growing up and I don't agree with it at all. Whenever I wanted to do something with Stasia and tried to include you; I was shot down because my folks and Lee said that you couldn't take part because of the reasons I wouldn't understand. I figured you were homeschooled because you were going to be a Ranger like your old man, but when you came back you were so...empty..."

The brunette huffed, "Yeah...I didn't get kicked out. I dropped out; I switched majors from Ranger to Mechanic and when my dad found out before graduation, he was...upset. I think he was more upset that his kid wasn't going to be a star like the Ranger who saved his home back when he was a kid on Mitonga Island."

"Hey, you are great with gadgets and stuff. Imagine if Macro Cosmos hired you for developing...stuff!"

"I think I've disappointed my dad enough already. He hates them, joining them would be a real slap to the face," Izziadora replied. "Who cares? What matters is that you're happy, happy doing what YOU want!"

"I...I don't..."

The brunette gasped softly as Hop took her hands. "Izzy, what do you want?" Hop asked, resolve in his eyes. "I want...I want my dad to be proud of me,"

"That's nice and all, but you shouldn't sacrifice who you are or what you want to be regardless if it's for family. Your dad either supports you or not, parents aren't always going to agree with your decisions, because you're not him,"

"Yeah and I'm not my mom either! So--"

"Stop thinking about everyone else for once and think about yourself! I know you don't want to stay here," Hop argued. "Of course I don't! I'm tired of being left out of everything because everyone says so!"

"Well, you're letting them and yourself, hold yourself back. So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know! But I'm not going to let everyone keep treating me this way. I may not know what I want, but what I do want is to go on this journey. I won't know who I am if I stay home under everyone's protection. I'm going to get stronger, for myself."

Bursting with joy, Hop threw his arms around the female in a hug that rivaled a Bewear. "Hop, you were...Arceus, you're a goof," Izziadora smiled as she hugged the male back. "I think you mean Hopscotch, Izzy..." Hop replied, pink dusting his cheeks. Izziadora smiled softly in response.

"Hey, fight me."

"Trying to kill the mood are ya Hopscotch?" Izziadora teased. Hop's face burned in embarrassment, "No, I meant battle me. For real. Lee doubts us and I say we make him regret doubting us. Us little people have to unite..."

"AGAINST THE BIG MAN! HOPSCOTCH YOU MADLAD!"

The two returned to the professor's house and took their places on the battlefield. Izziadora felt her nerves return when her hand wrapped around the Pokeball containing Sobble. "Don't be afraid Izzy. It's just ole' Hopscotch," Hop reassured with a smile. "Easy for you to say. You're not a stranger..."

"Exactly. I'm your rival, so you get no mercy from me! Don't hold back okay?"

Izziadora nodded as the two sent out their pokemon. Sobble yawned as Wooloo bleated, eager to battle. She looked over at her trainer and was taken aback by the fiercely determined look on her face.

"Wooloo, use Tackle!"

"Sobble, dodge, and counter with Pound!"

Sobble was caught off guard by the lack of hesitation that she nearly got run over by Wooloo. Luckily, she was able to get a hit in right as Izziadora called for Water Gun. The Sheep pokemon was blown back by the attack but got to his feet to shake the water off its soaked wool.

"Not bad Izzy. You responded quicker than last time!"

"That's because I'm internally freaking out, but don't remind me! Focus on the battle!"

"Oh, right! Woo-"

"Sobble, use Pound again!"

The starter swung her tail at Wooloo which was enough to knock the sheep pokemon out. "Woo! We did it!" Izziadora cheered as Hop recalled the fainted pokemon. Sobble smiled, pleased with the result of the fight and at her trainer's joy. "Don't celebrate too early mate! I've still got two more for ya?"

"T-Two? I thought you had just Grookey!"

Unknown to the two teens that Leon and Professor Magnolia came outside to watch the fight. Hop sent out Rookidee, the same pokemon Anastasia was hunting for earlier. Izziadora thought about sending out the Yamper she caught, seeing that the puppy pokemon had the advantage and was about around the same strength level as Rookidee. However, type matchups didn't always guarantee a win. Plus, she owed Sobble for being such a weak trainer. Grookey was bound to be much stronger than Sobble and would easily knock her out, at least Yamper could take some hits. But she wasn't familiar with its moveset yet...

"Sobble, do you think you can handle staying in for a bit more?" Izziadora asked the lizard pokemon. Sobble nodded before turning back to the pokemon before her. Hop called out for the tiny bird to use Peck, which it did with vigor. The tiny bird pokemon was faster than Wooloo which made it difficult for Sobble to dodge as quickly. Even when Izziadora tried to counter-attack, it would just fly out of Sobble's reach. She'd have to ground it one way to slow it down--

"Sobble! Water Gun!"

Sobble seemed to catch on to what her trainer was thinking. Aiming her water gun attack at the flying type, especially making sure to get its wings. Rookidee fell to the ground and fluttered to shake its waterlogged wings. "Great work, Sobble! Finish it off with Pound!"

Once again the water type swung her tail; sending the weakened bird to its trainer's feet. On its back, unable to battle it was recalled back to its Pokeball. Izziadora cheered again; her nerves easing up bit by bit. She wanted to think Hop was probably going easy on her out of pity, but it felt good to finally feel like she was having fun. "Alright, it's the final stretch, Izzy!"

"Yeah, Send in ya chimp Hopscotch I'm ready!"

She recalled Sobble since she needed the rest the most. She grabbed Yamper's Pokeball and threw it. Releasing the yellow puppy pokemon; Hop likewise sent out his starter. "Nice pokemon, did you catch it?"

"No, it caught me,"

"...what?"

"N-Nothing! Shut up and battle meh!"

Hop called out for Grookey to use Branch Poke. Yamper yipped in excitement, her body wiggling. "Yamper, use Nuzzle!" Izziadora called out. The electric type didn't move as the grass type advanced, but once it was close enough it instead latched onto the stick and tugged on it. Screeching angrily, Grookey tugged back, resulting in a tug of war of sorts. Both teens sweatdropped with nervous smiles on their faces as they watched the two go back and forth.

"Yamper, no! Bad Pupper! Let go of Grookey's stick!"

Izziadora ran out onto the battlefield and picked up the electric type, who still refused to let go. Hop ran over and also picked up his pokemon. Both pulling as hard as they could, they eventually managed to break the pokemon apart...at the price of the twig splitting in half. Grookey looked at his twig in shock before screeching angrily at Yamper and attempting to scratch her. Yamper smiled happily with the other half of the stick in her mouth.

"...."

"Ya know...I'm gonna go ahead and call this battle a loss"

"But..."

Hop raised a hand to interrupt her. "The point of this was to make you have some faith in yourself and see the fun in battling. I saw you smile out there and your smile is all the reward I need,"

"....Smooth. Very smooth, Hopscotch."

"Well done, you too!"

Izziadora screeched as she turned around to see Leon and the professor on the side of the battlefield. "Lee, I'm gonna beat you with your own Charizard if you keep going with these jumpscares-"

"I guess I've got little to no choice to give you all endorsements as Champion!"

Hop smiled brightly as Izziadora glowered at the Champion. "Hop and I didn't battle just to get your silly endorsements! Give Hop and Stasia one by all means, but I'm not accepting anything after everything that you said!"

Leon frowned, "I know and I'm sorry, but you have to understand—"

"Spare me the lecture Himbo. I did this for myself, so I'd like to receive my endorsement because I showed potential growth not because you pitied me. I want to be seen as myself, not the Izziadora you all see me as. But as a trainer who wants to become stronger. I may not have any desire to be Champion like Hop and Stasia, but I want to go on this journey to discover myself and find what I want to do. You can at least show me the same amount of respect you'd give any other trainer. You owe me that courtesy at least,"

Leon looked over at Hop who stared back at him with his arms folded resolutely. "I believe my rival made herself clear, big brother,"

".....Alright, Alright! I give and I apologize for my actions. You deserve better and I have no right to tell you how to live your life. Just...try not to get yourself in jail please,"

"Why does everyone assume that-"

"Thanks, Lee! Izzy, you get to be in the Gym Challenge with me and—Ah, shuckle! Stasia isn't back yet!"

"What? Where did she go?" Izziadora asked worriedly. "She went out to look for you, but I haven't seen her at all," Hop replied. Before they could go out and search for her, the blonde walked up to them and waved at the group with a tired smile.

"Nice battling out there you two! It felt nice to see technology again—oof!"

The female caught herself as two pairs of arms engulfed her. "Stasia, I'm sorry I ran off!"

"Where'd you go?!"

Anastasia waved them off as a nervous smile spread across her face. "I fell down a hill, pissed off some Beedrills, and of course they tried to kill me so I ran like hell till I fell in a hole and lost them and some mountain folk helped me find my way out."

•••

"Yeah...you're fine,"

"I'd say wow, but I'd be faking it," Hop commented. Anastasia rolled her eyes, "anyway, I hear we're endorsed now. Which is great and all,"

"That's right. You three ought to make your way to Motostoke for the opening ceremony," Leon said. The three exchanged smiles as three lights streaked across the sky.

"Hey, look!" Hop pointed out as the trio watched them fall near the lake. They ran up to them and picked them up. Anastasia was silent as the other two gushed. "It's a Wishing Star!"

"They're supposed to grant wishes....kinda convenient huh Hopscotch?"

"I WILL BE THE GREATEST TRAINER EVER!"

•••••

"AND I WANT TO BE A MAGICAL GIRL!"

••••••

"Oh, shit did I say that out loud?"

"Izzy, what does that have to do with—"

"Shut up, Hopscotch! Don't judge me! I have little childhood dreams I want to achieve!"

"Those Wishing Stars are curious little girl things here in Galar. But they won't do you any good the way they are now. Hand them over and I'll take care of the rest," Professor Magnolia said.

"Hey, everyone! I'm home! Just in time for dinner too!"

Everyone looked over to see Sonia approaching them. Everyone chatted as they headed inside; Anastasia pulled Izziadora aside into the stairwell. "Hey, Izzy can I ask you a question? It's about...Galarian History?"

"Sure! I know a bunch from mom! What can I do for ya?"

"Have you ever heard of the Scarlet Lady?"

Something clicked within Izziadora that made the blonde extremely nervous. However, it was quelled when the brunette answered, "Ohhhhh she's a famous female figure in Galarian history. However, they wrote her out of history because of the rumors about her. Nowadays she's passed down orally as a scary story to scare kids into behaving or else Persians would kidnap them and send them back to the Scarlet Lady to be eaten,"

"Lovely...Ummm why was she written out?"

Izziadora snorted, "She was seen as a Witch to people. She'd curse an entire village whenever someone entered her home, burned those who angered her, even made off with children. Heck most of them believed that the Darkest Day was caused by her, so the Princes captured and enslaved her. Although, that's pretty much where her story ends. It's getting pretty confusing on what happened because there's no record of her afterward,"

"I-I see...well thanks again!"

"No problem!"

The blonde watched her friend leave before sinking onto the floor; recalling what she encountered in the past as her mind raced with questions. "A witch. Was I saved by her? She seemed so...nice...."

Was it just an old scary fairytale?

More importantly....was Celebi trying to warn her of something?