Hey everyone! Thanks for the kind words in regards to the last chapter! I'm actually having a lot of fun writing this as our time with Sword and Shield quickly comes to a close. I'm hoping that I can wrap up the story within 7-8 more chapters, but enjoy what I've got for you today!
Hop hadn't been in Gloria's room in quite some time. He took in Azure wallpaper littered with pop culture references and the gym challenge as Gloria shut the door behind them. He stepped into the room, feet brushing against the familiar pokeball carpet and her scent, though fading, filled his nostrils. She walked past him with a pep in her step as she collapsed in her bed with a big grin on her face. He chuckled and pulled out the chair from the desk against the wall and sat in it backwards, resting his arms on the back and plopping his chin down on the back of his hands. "Been a while since you've been back huh?"
She stretched out all her limbs with an exaggerated moan, feeling her feet plop against the footboard. She looked down curiously and wiggled her toes. "Huh… two years since I've become champion and I guess I've really not noticed how much I've grown." She sat up in her bed cross legged and met his yellow eyes with a nostalgic grin. "I remember when you used to stay over, there was enough room in between us to snuggle your Wooloo. Now I doubt there'd be much room at all." She scooched to the edge of the bed closest to the wall and plopped down again.
The boy rose to his feet and made his way over to the white oak wood frame, and laid down on the mattress next to her. His arm brushed against hers as he found enough purchase on the still comfortable mattress, cheek resting against the pillow facing her light blue irises and grinning face. His one knee bent with the other resting on the top of the footboard, being taller than his friend it made sense that he was longer than the bed now. "Yeah… much less room now. Not only are we bigger but so is Dubwool" They stared at each other for a brief moment until she sat up and placed her hands on his chest.
"'Scuse me for a second. I'm gonna change out of this sweaty getup." Her grin vanished for a moment as something dawned on her, then slowly a mischievous smirk crawled up on her lips "I better not catch you peepin' you perv." His face went beet red as he sputtered and tried to speak with nothing comprehensible escaping his lips. She laughed in delight and climbed over him "Relax I'm messing with ya dummy."
A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he turned away from her and faced the wall. "You'd like that wouldn't you?" He meekly replied finally, then hiding his face in his hands. The heat radiating into his palms suggested that his blush hadn't yet disappeared, and took steps to calm himself. Deep and controlled breathing, and thinking about his research only barely managed to bring his heart rate back under control. Regaining his composure, his thoughts echoed in his head "What the heck is she thinking?! Why is she giving me a chance to be such a scumbag?"
She opened her closet and crossed her arms, trying to decide what to wear. Most of the clothes in there were from the Gym challenge. She hadn't had the opportunity to do much clothes shopping since she became the champion of the region, only owning duplicate sets of the Champion's outfit at her room in the Budew Drop Inn and only buying underwear occasionally. "I really have been going nonstop huh…" She stated sadly, then stripped down, tossing the dirties to the side. Deciding on a plaid skort, with a frilly white tank top peeking out from under a purple knitted parka. Finally to give her legs a bit more coverage, she slipped on a pair of gray thigh high socks with ribbons on the side. "Alrighty I'm decent" She announced to him, while simultaneously letting her hair down
He rolled back over initially thinking to tell her off for that little trick she pulled, when his heart skipped a beat and time slowed for him. Seeing her sitting in the chair with her hair let down from its usual tight bun with side bangs draping down, gently combing through the white strands with a brush, it was like HIS Gloria had finally come back to him. "I… really missed you.." Was all that he managed to voice before clamming up again. Why was his palms so sweaty and looking at her was almost painful yet entrancing?
His admission stopped her arm mid stroke, plopping the brush back on her desk. She scratched the back of her head and bit her bottom lip, not sure how to put how she was feeling into words. "I can count the number of times I've seen you over the past two years on both hands… and this is the first time we've really been together like this since the Galarian Star Tournament." She got up and walked to sit at his side, continuing to speak. "But… a day didn't go by where you weren't in my thoughts Hop. I know it's little consolation for you, and that I've been a bad friend for not taking more time to see you." Her eyes started to tear up, and her hand fell on top of his with a gentle squeeze.
His eyes began to water as well, not looking at her, not wanting to see the waves of emotions her mere presence was sending through him. "You just finished with this year's Gym Challenge, and… I don't know it feels the same when Lee was never around, but… this somehow feels worse." This was a punch in the gut for the girl, knowing what kind of emotional duress that not having his big brother around was when they were little. She had Dethroned Leon who was now busy with his wife, who was also Hop's mentor. She had just barely brought the nation back to a sense of normalcy after the Darkest Day, and the people had confidence in her. But the one who had lost confidence in her was the one who was the most important. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to bring the mood down." He looked up at her with a smile, a few tears sliding down her cheek.
"Hop…" she didn't know what else to say. Her other hand grasped the sleeve of his denim jacket. Hot tears slipped down her cheeks as she shifted her grip to cup his cheeks, wiping away his tears. "I don't want to keep being the champion… if it means that I will end up losing you."
Something about the tone of her voice, and the sincerity of her words, calmed the waves of emotion in the pit of his stomach. He tapped his forehead against hers and held her hands "Hey dummy, you will never lose me as a friend. I am so proud of you for doing such amazing work in such a trying time in Galar's history. I guess I'm just feeling selfish is all. I can't help but want to see you."
His eyes widened as a soft sensation enveloped his lips. His heart started to race all over again as he realized what was happening. Her eyes were shut, water still leaking from them, but calmer now. Hop began to snap out of it slightly and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her back. With it now being reciprocated, Gloria slid her hands from his cheek to around his neck and deepened the kiss. She had always dreamed about doing this, but she never felt like there was a good time. This kind of situation wasn't ideal for her to profess her feelings for him, but she NEEDED him to know how much he meant to him.
This continued for what seemed like an eternity before, breathlessly, their lips separated. Neither of them knew what to say, or do. Neither of them were emotionally prepared for this kind of thing. A Pokemon Champion, and a Professor's Assistant, both hopelessly in love with each other since forever ago, should be able to handle this right? After all these two were some of the most capable people in Galar. The boy was the first one to say anything, though his words were nothing more than a hushed whisper with a smile slowly creeping back up on his face, "I can't believe you just went for it… the champ snogging a bloke like me? The photogs would have a field day."
She let out a breathless chuckle and raked her fingers through his hair, "Just be quiet and kiss me again…" this time with much more confidence, their lips brushed up against each other again. Whatever it would take, whatever she would have to sacrifice, Gloria was determined to make this work.
00-00—-0-0-00—0-0-0-
It was 15 minutes later when the two rejoined their mothers at the kitchen counter. Ava looked at her son and Elise, her daughter, both mid sip of cocoa. Their gaze shifted from their children to each other, Ava looking smug while Elise looking defeated. They both put the mugs down and Elise pulled a 2000 Pokedollar note from her back pocket and slid it over to her longtime friend. "Fine a bet's a bet…" Hop's mother took it with a victory jig, wanting to rub her success in as much as possible.
"Oooh? What're we betting on?" Asked Gloria sitting at one of the chairs, wanting to hear the juicy gossip. Her white hair was pulled back in a romantic tuck with side swept bangs, completely reminiscent of her gym challenge days. She leaned in, expecting to be filled in, only to be disappointed when her mother's hand waved at her dismissively.
"Sorry dear. It would spoil the fun if we told you, speaking of which Ava… Double or nothing! 4000 Pokedollars for 24." Her hand slapped the table with a fire in her eyes. It had been a while since she saw her mother this fired up about something, so whatever they were betting on must have been important indeed.
Hop's mother laughed with superiority, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "I'm always willing to take more of your money! There's no way they can make it past 21."
The boy looked at his rival with confusion written all over his face, only to be met with a shrug. He took a seat next to Gloria, resting his arms on the table. "So we're having a barbeque tonight right? I could do a little cooking if that will help?" Elise placed her hands on her hips and addressed the man with both amusement and frustration in her voice.
"After you cost me 2000 Pokedollars, there's no way I'm willing to risk you botching up the meat too. Besides, it's high time you tell us how your research is doing. All that time with Professor Magnolia and Professor Sonia couldn't have been for nothing." The rivals shared another confusing glance, wondering what he did, before Hop started.
"So… We all know that Eternatus' energy is responsible for the Dynamax phenomena across the Galar region, and that uncontrolled energy is what brought on The Darkest Day. Yet while studying both Eternatus and other Pokemon who are Dynamaxed or Gigantamaxed, I noticed a couple things. One: Wild Pokemon who are dynamaxed are much more unstable, only occasionally being able to perform a max move. Two: Pokemon when partnered with a trainer are much more powerful and have a much more stable energy signature. Three: there are two energy signatures present in a Pokemon dynamaxed with a trainer versus a wild pokemon." They were all enthralled with his summarization, eyes locked on him.
"The thing is, a trainer from the Hoenn region came through not too long ago and requested a battle. I just happened to have my equipment on me at that time, but the odd thing was it reacted when the trainer Mega Evolved their Lucario." Gloria leaned in, her curiosity overwhelming her.
"I've heard of Mega Evolution before! But I've never seen it with me own eyes. They say a Pokemon's size and shape can drastically change but they gain much more power right?" Hop nodded and continued his tale.
"Yeah the only caveat is, that the Pokemon and trainer need to have a strong bond, and that a Keystone is required. But after the battle, I checked on the equipment and I found that the energy readings from the Mega Evolved Pokemon were nearly identical to the readings I got from a pokemon Dynamaxed by their trainer. I was actually making plans to travel to the Kalos region to investigate further, and if my hunch is correct, I'll be heading to the Alola region next."
The Alola region was a place that was foreign to the girl, but a place that she always wanted to visit, hearing it was the ideal vacation spot and even had Mantine surfing. But she wracked her brain thinking of a reason why his research would lead him there.
An epiphany came over her, and she stood suddenly looking at the dark skinned boy. "Z-Moves! Wait hold on, if I'm smelling what you're stepping in… you think the energy from Dynamaxing is the same that is used in Z-Moves and Mega Evolution?" Hop nodded quickly with a look of delight on his face.
"Yes exactly! But to confirm my hypothesis, I need to travel there and experience it for myself. Which means I'll need to spend at least a few months either there or in Hoenn, raising a Pokemon with the intent of eventually being able to undergo Mega Evolution with it. None of the Pokemon on my team are capable of it." Gloria's face dropped when she heard this, shoulders drooping as she tentatively asked,
"Oh… when were you planning on leavin?"
He thought for a moment and replied "Well… I was thinking about heading out next month."
The girl's entire world slowed to a standstill as a feeling of loss started to swallow her. She was just barely able to express her feelings to him, and sure they never verbally established a relationship, but the fact that he was so ready to leave the Galar region didn't sit right with her. She didn't even hear him continue with his statement "But some things came up so I will probably postpone those plans for…"
She slammed her hands on the table and rose faster than a Diglett popping out of a hole, startling everyone sitting there with her. Her eyes glared daggers into her childhood friend as she proclaimed "You're taking me with you! I can't let yea go on yer own!" Hop held up his hands in defense, not understanding why she was so angry all of a sudden. They were so focused that they didn't notice Elise turn to Ava with a look of dread on her face.
"I'm going to lose 4000 Pokedollars aren't I?"
How is their relationship gonna progress from here I wonder? How is Gloria going to manage being the champion of Galar while spending months in Hoenn or Kalos? Hopefully I left ya'll wondering that too :P. Until next time everyone: Fare thee well!
