Happy Holidays to all my readers! And if its not holiday time when you read this, I hope you have a good day anyways! Enjoy the chapter!
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"Yes! She did it!"
From a bench in the park, a pre-teen girl beamed at the results from her phone. Galia had been watching the battle between her mother and the latest challenger. In the past, the girl would usually cheer for Melony to win. But this trainer, Fiora, was interesting. Not as brash or brazen like other competitors. She seemed to care more about having fun with her pokemon. The close bond with her pokemon almost reminded Galia of...
"Hey weirdo." Someone lightly bopped the girl on the head. "Aren't you supposed to be watching the tykes?"
"Gordie!" Galia gasped.
She jumped up from the bench to give her big brother a hug.
"Whoa, whoa! Easy!" Gordie exclaimed. "Geez, you act like I disappeared or something."
Galia pouted. "Might as well have."
Ever since Circhester's big 'Rock VS Ice' battle several years ago, things between Melony and Gordie were strained (and that was putting it lightly). Gordie moved out of the house, refusing to meet with mom ever since the battle's resolution. As a gym leader with a growing fanbase and a personal trainer, he was fairly busy. But it wasn't like he completely dropped off the family radar. Gordie and Galia sent regular emails to each other. Rare opportunities lead them to cross paths in public like this.
Gordie sat down on the bench beside his sister. They looked to the playground, where the youngest brothers were playing. The triplets were busy building snow forts and constructing snowballs to pelt each other with. A few other children and pokemon joined them.
"You're lucky the trips' weren't up to anything while you were staring at your phone." Gordie said.
"I watch them! I only glanced down at my phone a few times. And just for a second!" Galia argued.
"Whatever you say." Gordie shook his head. "Just...look, with these earthquakes and stuff, I can't always be around to protect you guys."
While Circhester wasn't as affected by the strange events in Galar, Gordie must have been concerned about it nonetheless. The big, tough trainer was still thinking of his little sister and brothers, even if he tried to put on a cool act.
"Weeeellllll. Maybe I could protect us a lot better if I had my own pokemon." Galia hinted, trying to put on a cute act.
"Oh? Since when were you interested in pokemon and battles?"
"I was just watching mom face against this really cool trainer. The way Fiora and her pokemon fight is amazing! And they're not even as experienced as other trainers! If they're this good now, I can only imagine what they'll be like in the championships!"
Gordie listened patiently as his sister gushed on about this trainer. True, Galia didn't have a lot of interest in battling before. She cheered her mom on, as the family would. And she loved to help care for her mom's pokemon. It was seeing Fiora in action that made battling seem exciting. It wasn't just a competition; it was a fun way to get closer to pokemon and make memories. Maybe someday, she could have a pokemon to experience what Fiora and other trainers felt.
"Mom would be mad if she found out you changed loyalties." Gordie teased.
"Don't tell her! I still love mom!" Galia pleaded. "I just wanted to cheer on Fiora too..."
"Relax, not gonna break the silence to tattle on ya." Gordie assured. "A pokemon of your own eh? Tell you what. I have time off after the tournament's over. What say I take you out to catch a pokemon and teach you the basics? Call it an early birthday present or something."
"Really?" Galia grew excited.
"It'd tick off the ice queen if I got to teach you all the trainer stuff before she does." Gordie snickered, then glanced at the park's clock tower. "Shoot, event's in 15 minutes. I better hustle before the fans get impatient. Tell dad and the little guys I said hi."
Hell hath no fury like Gordie's fanbase being made to wait. It was admirable that despite his immense popularity, Gordie still kept a level head about it.
"Oh hey! Bro!" Galia called after her brother as he walked away. "If Fiora becomes champion, will you challenge her to battle?"
Gordie didn't look back but responded. "Course I will. But you better be rooting for me!"
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"Congrats on your latest win! Let's celebrate! Grab Hop and meet me at Bobs Yer' Uncle!"
Fiora received the text from Sonia after returning to the gym lobby room. It was dinner time and the battle left her drained of energy. A hot meal sounded perfect.
"What an awesome battle! Seriously, I was tensing up the whole time!"
Hop had greeted Fiora with lots of cheer and excitement. Fiora was a bit surprised by the pep. She had expected Hop to be a little sore about how he hadn't won while she did. Yet Hop was giving her praise and going over the different battle strategies used by her & Melony.
"You're not mad?" Fiora asked as they began walking the snowy streets.
"Mad? Why would I be mad? That battle was wicked cool!"
"Even though I won and you, um..."
"Doesn't bother me." Hop brushed off her concern. "Well, ok I'm still bothered that I lost. But I'm not gonna be upset that you won! Makes you a worthy rival that I gotta beat!"
The restaurant was on the western side of the city. It wasn't hard to find; red and gold themed colors with a mascot of a catoony blonde mustached man. This place was known for a lot of 'homestyle' cooking with their specialty being curry. Sonia was waiting near the entrance for them.
"There you guys are!" She greeted. "I've been watching your battles. Great work out there, both of you!"
"Thanks Son'! Though I still need to train a little more..." Hop sheepishly admitted.
"For now, how about you recharge with curry? This place is one of the best curry spots in the region! So hot that it melts through the strongest ice!" Sonia said.
The group was escorted to a booth in the very back of the restaurant. It was away from other customers who were enjoying their own foods, good for the group to have privacy while they caught up. Hop was eager to try their spiciest curry, the "Juicy 5 Alarm Curry" and was trying to get the girls to order it as well. Fiora shuddered to think how much spice could possibly overload her mouth. She and Sonia ordered a mild spice curry in decorative style; where the chefs would design their plates like cute pokemon.
"So how's the research going?" Fiora asked after the waitress took the orders.
"It's...well, a challenge. You discover one answer, then find ten more questions to follow it. The mysteries keep piling up." Sonia sighed.
"What about those statues in Stow-on-Side? Didn't you find anything out?" Hop asked.
"A few things. The statue is estimated to be about 3000 years old, roughly around the same time Darkest Day occurred. My hypothesis is that the statue was created after that event occurred and it had ties to it." Sonia explained. "However, I still don't know why it was hidden away or the purpose it's supposed to serve."
"Those statues were of those kings but also the pokemon, right? A pokemon based on sword and another of a shield." Hop said.
"Right. Yet there's not a pokemon like them registered in the Galarian pokemon databases. No information on them anywhere." Sonia said.
While Hop and Sonia continued the discussion, Fiora got up to use the restroom. Before reaching the hallway that lead to the kitchen and bathrooms, there was something hanging up on the wall that caught her attention. The rest of the restaurant had news articles, awards, modern paintings and décor all around. This piece, a tapestry, stood out. . It looked to be positively ancient with some frayed edges and held a somber aura. Two kings in cyan and magenta, each laying a sword and shield at a gravestone under a majestic gate within a gray place.
"A tapestry...hmmmmm" The realization hit her all at once. "Wait, that's it!"
Fiora rushed back to the table.
"Sonia! Come here! I found another one!" She excitedly told her.
"Another what?" Sonia gave her a puzzled expression, as did Hop.
"Another tapestry! Just like the ones back in Hammerlocke!" Fiora said.
They followed her to the back where the tapestry hung.
"Oh my gosh! No way!" Sonia gasped. "The style is identical! I think we found a fifth tapestry that corresponds to the legends! Perhaps this is the lost ending to the legend!"
"What's it doin' here though?" Hop wondered.
Sonia inspected the tapestry. "Lets see. It seems like the heroes are...sad? Placing the sword and shield away in such a gloomy setting. Graves? No, those runes on the stones seem different. It's similar to old mythology where creatures would be sealed away."
"If the sword and shield are supposed to be the pokemon, then were they sealed away after their duty was completed?" Fiora guessed.
Fiora felt something in the back of her mind, like a distant memory.
"The sword and shield do not want to be found. I will honor that request. I already had our historians alter our records."
"But then, why build this?"
"While I do hope for Galar to have peace, there's always a possibility of the region's stability to be threatened once more. They may be our only hope should an event like that ever happen again."
It was like that dream back in Stow-on-Side. Those voices said the sword and shield didn't want to be found. Perhaps, the existence of the sword and shield pokemon were meant to be a secret.
Hop spoke up. "Now I remember! That statue pokemon did seem familiar after all! You remember, right Fiora? Slumbering Weald?"
"Slumbering Wea-….right!" Fiora recalled. "That pokemon we met!"
The strange pokemon that approached her in the Slumbering Weald. It didn't look exactly like the statue; no shield, lots of battle scars, part of an ear missing.
"Right! It looked a little bit like the statue!" Hop said.
"Ah, Leon did say you lot wandered into the Slumbering Weald. Who would've thought something like that would be hiding out there? You have to tell me more! This could be a big breakthrough in the research!" Sonia said.
The three went back to their table to continue the discussion as the curry was being brought out. Sonia took down notes as Fiora and Hop recalled that day in Slumbering Weald to the best of their ability. Was that strange pokemon related to the hero pokemon in any way? What kind of secrets were hiding in the Slumbering Weald?
Once they were finished with their meals, Sonia took them to the Heroes Baths. As it was night time, not a lot of people or pokemon were around. Though it was ancient, the baths held up well and looked stunning. Steam drifted through the area, warming the frigid outdoor air.
"Some legends say the heroes came here to soothe their injuries after the great battle." Sonia said.
"Wait, but pokemon only use the bath nowadays." Fiora pointed out.
"Hm. Wonder what kind of hero would use the baths then?" Hop questioned.
"That's what I hope to figure out. I have a few theories in the works. With what you two told me and that tapestry, maybe there's some links I can connect. Perhaps the baths will even provide some clues." Sonia said.
"A hero wavin' around a sword and shield, eh? I guess if I had to pick, I'd fancy a sword." Hop said.
Somehow, Fiora could envision a sword fitting Hop perfectly. Hop was the heroic type to charge into battle and swing out a sword, throwing attack after attack.
"I'd pick a shield." Fiora said.
"Suits you well." Hop agreed. "...hey, Fiora. Let's show Sonia a heroic battle of our own yeah?"
"Eh?"
"I got the energy to spare! Time to show off a grand battle featuring Galar's future champion!"
Hop was pretty motivated. Was it the fiery meal? The aromatic steam of the baths? Inspiration from the old tales? Or...was there something on his mind? A spark of determination flashed in Hop's eyes. No hesitation, no uncertainty, no questions. Just like Hop was before his first major loss. Fiora agreed. Sonia shrugged before volunteering to referee. It was agreed they'd do a simple 3 vs 3, whoever won the most rounds won the battle. The trainers sent out their first pokemon; Altaria vs Dubwool.
Altaria began with a Growl attack, trying to lower his opponents defenses. He began stacking up defense curls as Altaria flew around, landing dragon-breaths. Though the attack could paralyze, it didn't seem to do so this battle. Oh well. The damage was still fairly great, even with Dubwool's added defenses. Dubwool went for a Double Kick. Altaria returned fire with Fly. Critical hit! Dubwool was down.
"I feel your pain, partner." Hop bent down to Dubwool, giving him a head pat. "I'll get 'em back for that one."
Pokemon were called back. In their places were the ones for round two; Sylveon vs Corviknight. A bit of a type disadvantage for Fiora's side. It didn't mean that they'd lose, though. Sylveon used Baby Doll Eyes to lower Corviknight's attacks. Even the strong steel bird wasn't immune to a fairy type's charms. Sylveon also set up a light screen, hoping the special damage wouldn't be effective either. Corviknight wasted no time in attacking, setting off Drill Peck one after another. Sylveon would try to use Draining Kiss to regain some of its lost health but it wasn't enough to regain it completely. Return was a little stronger though still hard to make a dent. Karma came back as it was a critical hit Drill Peck that KO'd Sylveon.
Time for the final round. The last pokemon sent out were Inteleon and Cinderace.
"Heh, great minds think alike!" Hop grinned. "Our flames are burning brighter than ever! Lets go buddy!"
"YEAH!" Cinderace pumped a fist into the air, charged up from anticipation of battle.
"Ready, Inteleon?" Fiora asked.
"Ready, Miss Fiora." Inteleon nodded, poised and steady.
Cinderace, speedy as ever, shot right out the gate with a Pyro Ball. His attacks were getting more powerful with every battle. All the training was paying off. But Inteleon was no slouch either. After suffering minimal damage, she was firing back with Snipe Shot. Water blasted from her fingertips like a pistol and slammed right against the fire rabbit. Inteleon went for Liquidation to lower defenses. Cincerace used counter, using the attack strength against her. Fiora guessed that Cinderace was going for an attack after the successful counter and ordered Inteleon to use Sucker Punch. Success! While Cinderace did pull off a Mega Kick, it's power was reduced from the surprise of the Sucker Punch on it. Cinderace built up his energy into a massive ball of flames. Inteleon was charging water energy into its fingertips. At the same time, both attacks were launched. The Snipe Shot cut clean through Pyro Ball and struck Cinderace, knocking him back. The Pyro Ball that had been split in two barely nicked Inteleon.
Sonia inspected Cinderace, who laid flat on his back. "Cinderace is down and out! Fiora wins the battle with two out of three rounds!"
"Great job, Inteleon! That last move was so cool!" Fiora gave her pokemon partner a fist-bump.
"Couldn't have done it without you, Miss Fiora." Inteleon said.
Hop pet Cinderace's head before the pokemon went back into the pokeball. The boy gave a small sigh, then looked up with a smile.
"Still can't beat my true-blue rival." Hop spoke. "But my head's startin' to clear up."
"Really?" Fiora responded.
"Yeah. I'm gonna keep challenging that ice gym till I win! And I'm heading to the top of the world, gonna be the next great champion of Galar!" Hop determinedly stated.
"Looks like you're finally pulling out of that funk." Sonia noticed.
"Yeah! No more of this doubting stuff! I'm charging head first into the battle, trusting my instincts!" Hop told her. "And one day, I'll beat my rival in the ultimate battle!"
"I'm looking forward to seeing that." Sonia said.
"Me too!" Fiora agreed.
Thank goodness, Hop's panics and hesitation was subsiding. There was the old Hop again. Well, the same old energy and determination in a new light and experience. Hop had grown so much since the beginning of their journey. Fiora was proud to call him her friend and rival.
"The two of you are going to go far! Even the unbeatable champion will be in trouble!" Sonia said. "You know, maybe you both could become the new heroes of Galar."
"Like in the legends? Heck yeah!" Hop puff out his chest.
Fiora wasn't sure she'd be a hero. Heck, she'd be lucky to even clear all eight gyms. While she might have a rare ability, it didn't make her some special person. She was just a trainer out looking for adventure in the great, big world. If anyone was to be a hero, it'd be Hop. He had all the makings of a hero, like a knight from the story books.
"So what's the plan from here on out? I'll be investigating these bath areas a little more before I dig around for info on the Slumbering Weald and the mystery pokemon." Sonia spoke.
"I'll be challenging the gym first thing in the morning!" Hop stated.
"And I'll be cheering you on" Fiora added.
"You're not going on ahead?" Sonia asked.
Fiora shook her head. "I don't want to go ahead without Hop. We're not just rivals, we're friends too."
"Right!" Hop wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We stick together! Besides, I won't be long. That gym leader won't stand a chance against me next time!"