I smile down at the text message, Nessa telling me the kids made it past her, Milo, and Kabu. all within the first week. Impressive to say in the least, I look up and over at Leon battling one of his gym members. Always so pumped up for a battle, even if it's against people he's battled a dozen times over. I'm afraid he'll get discouraged by playing the same tune and it won't be long after that until he'll want to stop playing all together.

My pokédex rings and I look down at the contact, Sonia, I don't hesitate to answer. "Hey there!" She chimes through the phone, "Hey Sonia! Did you need me to tell you the Poképuffs recipe again?" I tease. "No!" She snaps, but I can hear the pout in her voice, "I actually have something a bit more serious to talk about but you can't panic okay! Nothing bad happened, I just want to give you a heads up!" She warns. Despite her attempt at assuring me everything is fine I can't help but not feel that way, but I can fake it until she tells me what's up.

"Okay?" I spoke calmly, "The Chairman was in town when Gloria was in town to battle Nessa. He invited both of us to dinner," She reports. My boil boils over and it takes all I have not to toss my phone out onto the active battlefield. "And what did you talk about?" I mumble, "Nothing much, just a place to research for my report over the darkest day. I told you about that right?" She questions. "I think you failed to mention it," I scoff leaning back into my seat, "Well after Hop and Gloria said something about that weird Pokémon I got to lookin' into it. It led me to chase after this weird tale of the darkest day in Galar history and two heroes." She explains.

"If you're looking for history, try Raihan. He lives in one of the oldest cities in Galar, not to mention has a bachelors in history." I offer with a small smile, "The Chairman said something about the vault in Hammerlocke." She adds. "Well, I hope to see you around then, Leon and I have to see The Chairman there in a day or two." I sigh, "I bet the kids will be around about that time too!" She offers. "I'd like to see them, I heard they passed the first three gyms," I smile, twirling my pen in my hand, "Yep, both of them are Champs in the making." She laughs. I glance up to check the field only to see Leon wrapping up his match, "Well I have to let you go Sonia, Leon is just about Gigamax and finish up his match. I'll see you in a day or two okay?" I excuse. "Sure thing!" She chimes, and just as she hangs up a blast of hot air washes over my face, I sigh looking up at Leon's Gigantamax Charizard.

I tug Leon along hurrying to get to Hammerlocke stadium before anyone can recognize him and stop us. However just as we turn the corner my eyes widen to see Hop and he freezes mid step upon seeing us too. "I'M SORRY LEE!" He yelps before turning and dashing off, I pause and look over Leon. Who looks just as confused as I am, "What did he do?" I question, "I have no idea." He shrugs. I let out a sigh, I look down the street to see the stadium just in sight. "Alright Leon, I'm going to trust you to just walk down this street and into the stadium. I'm going to go after Hop alright?" I mumble, Leon nods.

"Thanks (y/n)." He smiles, "Mmhm, I love the kid too you know." I muse. Leon sent me a beautiful smile before making his way down the street, I held off walking away until I see him make it half way down before running in the direction Hop was headed. My heels clack against the cobblestone streets as I search in every which direction, until I spot the walking slouched body of the boy turning down another street. I hurry after him and just as he's in reach I take him by the back of his jacket. "Hold on there mini champion." I huff, all but out of breath.

Hop looks shocked to see me, his pretty golden eyes swirling in confusion. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Lee? You know he's pants at directions." He mumbles, stuffing his hands into his pockets. I hum at Hop's odd behavior, "Leon can live without me for an hour or so believe it or not Hop," I smile. "You, however, look like you need me a lot more. So how about we go grab some ice cream or something?" I offer with a smile. Hop doesn't answer but he eventually caves.

So Hop and I found a small Ice Cream cart and I bought him a cone of ice cream before sitting him down on a bench. "Are you okay Hop?" I mumble, Hop stares down at his ice cream, "Do you think...Do you think I drag Lee's name in the mud?" He questions. My eyes widen at the question, Self confident, cocky almost to a fault, Hop. Questioning himself? "Absolutely not," I scoff, "Who the hell put that idea out there?" I huff crossing my arms. "Me and Gloria got into it with this kid named Bebe a few times, well...last time around me and him battled. He uh..." He falters, I sat there waiting patiently for him to tell me. "He really wiped the floor with me (y/n)." he chuckles painfully, tears welling up in his eyes, "Said a bunch of stuff, stuff about how I'm dragging Lee's good name and in the mud." He whimpers.

I don't hesitate to pull the kid into a hug, and he doesn't fight it. Instead he clings to me, crying ever so quietly into my shoulder. I hold him there until his grip around me loosens, and only when he pulls away first do I let go. I sent the boy a soft smile, even when he still has tear streaks running down his cheeks. I pull the scarf off my neck and gently wipe them away, Hop holds still, not bother to stop me even if we're in public. "Don't you dare listen to a word that kid has to say Hop. Who is he to decide whether Leon's name is being dragged because of you! Hop, you are Leon's biggest pride, he's proud of his title yeah, but that doesn't even touch how he feels about you." I whisper.

"And you know what Hop, even if you can't beat Leon, or if you decide to do something other than be a Pokémon trainer, Leon will still be just as proud of you. Hell he might even be more so to watch you branch off and do something different, do something that he might not be capable of! So don't let some kid tell you something that only Leon and Leon alone would be able to tell you, and we both know you could never make him feel like that." I rant. Hop looks up at me his golden eyes glossy, only to start to well up with tears again. I hug him again, the clings back, only this time is his fit is shorter.

I smile down at him and push back his slightly messy hair before using my scarf to wipe away the tear streaks. "Thanks (y/n)," He croaks, "Mmhm, anytime Hop." I hum, "Now. I think you still have a Gym challenge to finish," I grin. Hop smiles back and stands, but before he run off I grab him by his sleeve, "Call me if this Bebe kid ever starts something again. I may not know much about the gym Challenge, but I know it illegal to battle other trainers outside of official matches." I huff. Hop shoots me a big smile, one that reminds me of Leon, "Sure thing sis," He chimes. I blink in shock, but he's already gone before I speak on it.

A small smile slips onto my lips before I stand from the bench. I make my way back to the stadium where Leon stands in the main lobby, already done with his meeting. "Did you find Hop? Is he okay?" He questions nervously, the big brother rearing his protective head. "He's alright now Lee, just needed a pick me up." I smile, still feeling the warmth that bloomed in my chest when he referred to me as his sister. "Looks like you got the pick me up," He snorts, "In a way. Let's just say I upgraded from (y/n) to sis." I smile. Leon's eyes go wide, "Seriously? What happened?" He gasps, "I'll tell you later, we gotta get back to Wyndon." I mumble waving him off. "(y/n)?" He questions, but I just walk to the doors, "(y/n)? What happened?" He yelps stumbling after me.

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