Leon started walking home. After a quick conversation with his friend, Hop dashed off after his brother. He ran past him and halted in front of their house. "C'mon you Slowpoke!" The Champion rolled his eyes at his brother's impatience and transitioned into a jog. The moment he caught up, Hop barged open the door and eagerly announced his presence. "Hey Mum, I'm-"

In the living room, Mum was panicking as the grandparents tried to console her. When she heard Hop's voice, she jerked her head in his direction. "Hop!" She rushed towards her younger son and embraced him in her arms. "Oh my gosh, thank heavens you are home! I was so worried about you!"

"Don't worry Mum, he's safe and sound," Leon reassured. Realizing that they would be home longer than expected, he closed the door.

"That's a huge relief, thank you Leon." Once she released him, Mum grasped Hop's shoulders and stared straight into his eyes. Her facial expression and tone of voice were stern. "Where were you?"

"Umm..." Hop nervously looked back and forth between his mother and his brother. Trusting the latter's reassuring assumption, he smiled and confidently started his story. "I was in the Slumbering Weald to-"

"You were in the Slumbering Weald?!" Mum scowled and pointed a finger at her younger son. "HOP!"

Hop flinched. "I can explain-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses! Just because you're a trainer now does not mean that you are suddenly invincible to the Big Bad Pokémon, and it certainly does not give you permission to go into the Slumbering Weald! You are lucky that you were not injured or worse!" Mum massaged her temple and took deep breaths to calm herself. I thought that I would never have to do this... you've always been so good at following this rule...

Why didn't she let me explain? I might as well just turn around and get it done and over with. Unless... Hop hated the most severe disciplinary method that his mother used on him, but he figured it would not be a major problem if he was too busy taking the Gym Challenge. "How long am I not allowed to watch Lee's matches on the telly?"

"Hop, we both know the consequence for going into the Slumbering Weald is a bum smacking." Mum had to let her sons know in no uncertain terms that going into the forbidden forest was unacceptable, since it was extremely dangerous. Therefore, it was the only behavior that she would ever spank them for.

Telling himself that the punishment was worth accepting was one thing. Actually receiving it was an entirely different matter. Hop covered his rear end with his hands and begged for mercy. "No! Don't smack me! I promise I'll never go into the Slumbering Weald ever again! Can't we negotiate this?!"

"I wish we could, but your safety is non-negotiable. Now move your hands." Mum grabbed her younger son's arm, yanked his bag off of his back, and dragged him into the kitchen. As she laid him on her lap, Hop glanced up at his mother with melancholic eyes. His last ditch effort to gain her pity broke her heart, but she did not give into his pleas. "I'm sorry Hop, I hate to do this to you, but it's for your own good."

"Mum, I already talked to Hop about staying out of the woods, he promised that he would never do it again, there's no need for this!" Leon pleaded. Unfortunately, his mother did not hear his words. The Champion winced as he watched her spank his brother. Poor Hop, he doesn't deserve this.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Hop cried upon feeling three hard whacks on his bottom. What lasted only a few seconds seemed like an eternity. Once his mother finished spanking him, he vigorously rubbed it and whimpered. The sight of his brother in distress prompted Leon to rush over to and hug him. Hop buried his face into his brother's shirt. "My butt hurts!"

"I know it hurts right now but trust me, the pain will go away in a little bit," Leon comforted. He softly squeezed his brother and occasionally rubbed his upper back in an attempt to make him feel better. "Just think: you're gonna go get your Pokédex, and then you're gonna become a strong trainer, and then you're gonna take the Gym Challenge, and then you're gonna make it to the Champion Cup, and then you're gonna battle against me in the Championship Match."

The Champion's hugs were tight, yet gentle; they never failed to soothe his brother when he was upset. Despite his soreness, Hop could not help but muster a small smile as he glimpsed up at his brother. "And then I'm gonna win and become the new Champion."

Good, he's not thinking about it; I knew that subject would distract him. Leon wiped away the tears from Hop's eyes. "Maybe; we'll see what happens once the battle actually comes. But first things first, let's go get your Pokédex so you can build a good team."

Hop eyeballed his mother. "Am I still allowed to?"

Mum remained seated in her chair. She massaged her sore palm and fought to keep her composure together. I just laid a hand on my baby; Hop is hurting because of me. But compared to the Big Bad Pokémon ripping his guts out, this was the lesser of two evils. But- Her train of thought was broken when she overheard her younger son's question. "Of course you can, dear. You've been punished enough and I'd never take this special opportunity away from you."

"That answers that. Now let's get going and start your adventure as a trainer." Leon let his brother go and ruffled his hair. On their way to the door, he picked up the bag and handed it to him. Hop put it back on and they both waved at their mother. "We'll see you later Mum!"

I need to reassure Hop that I have no ill will towards him. Mum stood up, approached her sons, and embraced Hop in her arms. "You're a good boy Hop, you just did something naughty and needed a little correction. I love you and don't let anything convince you otherwise."

"I love you too, Mum." While it certainly did not feel like it at the moment, Hop knew deep in his heart that his mother was only doing what she believed was in his best interest. "Just please don't smack me ever again."

"As long as you stay out of those woods, I promise I won't." Mum kissed Hop's forehead, released him, and waved to both of her sons. "You boys have fun. If you plan to stay overnight or you need anything then just let me know. Otherwise, I'll see you around teatime." Once they left, she walked into the living room, plopped onto the couch, and sobbed from guilt. Her Purrloin leapt onto her lap and meowed; she stroked her pet for emotional comfort.

As the brothers travelled to the lab, Hop ranted. "Why didn't Mum let me explain saving the Wooloo? She always lets us tell our side of the story. I know I did the right thing and I will do it again if I have to. I'm not sorry for going into the Slumbering Weald and I don't care how many smackings Mum gives me for it... though I'd rather avoid that because it hurts."

"I know, and I believe you did the right thing." Leon placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder. "I didn't want to tell you this in front of Mum for obvious reasons, but the lab has pain medicine in its first aid kit. If you want, then I'll ask Sonia to get one for you when we arrive." He winked.

"Thanks Lee. But..." Hop observed the surrounding environment before whispering into his brother's ear. "Please don't tell anyone about what happened; I don't want this to taint my legend. If Sonia asks then just tell her that I'd rather not talk about it."

"Of course. Now then, let's try not to think about it; that should also help with the pain." Leon thought of another distraction. "So about the Pokémon you saw in the Slumbering Weald - could you tell me more about it?"

"It resembled a wolf, but it was much bigger. I don't remember what color its fur was, but it had golden eyes and huge teeth that can-" The realization of what could have happened to him sent a shiver down Hop's spine, but it also brought up an intriguing point that he could not ignore. "I wonder why it spared us? Everyone knows that it is really dangerous. And sure it attacked, but it did not eat us when it had the perfect opportunity to do so. Perhaps it just wanted us off of its territory? Maybe it is not as bad as people claim..."

Leon noticed the characteristic pondering look on Hop's face. This was not just one of the random rambles that his brother often gave; it was much deeper. "Good question, and interesting hypothesis you got there. You should tell the Professor about it when we get your Pokédex. I know she wants Sonia to do something productive with her life, so perhaps you two can research it together."

"Hmm... I'd rather take the Gym Challenge first. Maybe once I'm the Champion I can investigate the Pokémon of the Slumbering Weald as a chapter in my legend. So can I get an endorsement for the Gym Challenge? Please?" Hop gave his brother the most pathetic puppy-dog face that he could pull off.

Not the puppy-dog eyes, anything but that. Leon tried not to give in, but resistance was futile. "Hop, I already told you, I honestly don't think that you are ready for it. Spend a few years training first and then - oh fine, I will think about it."

"Yay, thank you Lee!" The answer was not a 'no,' which was good enough for Hop - at least for now. He started thinking of a plan to convince his brother to endorse him for the upcoming Gym Challenge. Maybe if I can get the Professor to convince Lee to endorse me... yeah, this should work! He was very satisfied with the idea that popped into his mind.

Leon could tell from the look on his brother's face that he was up to something. "What'cha thinking about?"

"Uhh..." Hop was not going to tell his brother about his plan - that would ruin all chances of it succeeding. He quickly came up with a half-truth to answer the Champion's question. "Did I ever tell you that me and Wooloo already started training? We had a really close call with a Nickit the other day, but we won! Now I gotta train my new partner too! So I'll meet you at the lab in a little bit."

Leon smiled and patted his brother's shoulder. "Why look at you, already on the road to becoming a great trainer! That's how a Champion is born!" His smile faded. "But are you sure you don't want to stop by the lab first?"

The concerned tone of his brother's voice made it obvious to Hop that he was not referring to the Pokédex. "It still hurts a little, but I think I'll be fine. If I really need one then I'll let you know when I get there."

"OK, just making sure. Have fun and..." Leon's eyes widened with horror. "Please don't tell me those sleeping Wooloo are blocking the main path. Oh of course they are, such is my luck these days. This is going to be a ton of fun..."

Hop chuckled. "Relax Lee, it's not the end of the world." He pointed to the side path. "Make a right, then follow the path until you reach the intersection, then turn right and walk straight until you get to Wedgehurst. Don't climb any fences and you'll be fine."

You overestimate my directional capabilities; which way is right again? Leon grinned sheepishly. His Charizard, whom was trailing behind the brothers, started nudging the Champion in the direction of the side path. "Thanks Hop. I'll meet you at the lab - and this time you will meet me at the lab. Understand?"

"Yes Lee, I got it! See ya later!" The two brothers waved at each other as they parted ways. The sight of Leon being herded by his Charizard was a familiar one, yet it never failed to make Hop giggle. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted his friend leaving their house. Excitement flowed through his veins as he watched them approach; it was time for their adventure to begin.