A Love -Hate Relationship
16
~Kindness is Key~
A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC
"I'm not having any luck finding anything like the mushrooms Master Mustard described anywhere in this forest!" Hop said shaking his head with a sigh, "What about on your side, Anani?"
But she wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings so much as she was to the Zorua that now rested in her bag. Hop gave a soft sigh and a gentle smile as he approached her.
"How's the little guy doing?" he asked softly.
"Sleeping soundly." she said in return blinking for a moment, "Say...about the Mushrooms." Anani stated, "Didn't Master Mustard say they grow in caves too?"
"Oh aye?" Hop blinked, "What about it?"
"Well I'm pretty sure there was a cave somewhere out at the end of the Forest." she stated.
"No kidding!?" Hop beamed, "Wicked! We should head out that way immediately!" he said, "At the very least, it's worth checking!"
XXXXX
Hop and Anani wandered through the Forest of Focus eventually winding up in the Training Low lands. The Max Mushrooms continued to elude them and Zorua continued to sleep soundly.
"Oi, look ahead, Anani!" said Hop pointing to what looked to be a tunnel up ahead.
"I think that's Warm Up Tunnel." said Anani," We should check in there." Hop nodded and led the way. The Tunnel itself was a pretty straight shot. It was narrow, but there was something red in color that stood out in the distance.
"Oi, Anani!" Hop waved her over after he approached it to inspect what it was, "I think I found those Mushrooms!"
Curiously, Anani hurried to catch up and smiled.
"Bang on, Hop!" she grinned," Now we can pick these and bring them back to Master Mustard." she stated, "And maybe he can help us find a proper Poke'mon center if Zorua hasn't shown any improvement by then."
"We better push on then." he said. But just as he was about to lean down to pick their prize, an unwanted disruption made its way to the same goal.
"HOLD IT!" Klara's voice echoed against the walls of the tunnel. She ran up to them in a wheeze, with Avery panting behind her.
"I knew it! Max Mushrooms~" the blonde beamed before clearing his throat and shifting his glasses, "Just so you know, my psychic powers picked up on these waaaaaay before you two even got here!" he stated.
"Oh really?" Hop said in a doubtful tone with a raised brow.
"That's right!" said Klara, "We saw them first!" she panted, "Besides...we've been at the Dojo longer~ so it's only natural you let us have them."
"Say what!?" Hop huffed, "No way-"
"Go ahead." said Anani as she hugged the bag to her chest.
"Wait-really?" Klara blinked.
"Why are we questioning!?" said Avery, "We shouldn't look a gift Mudbray in the mouth-"
"What!?" Hop gasped, "But Anani, we found these first- you can't be serious!?"
"Hop, we haven't much more time left to spend here as it is." said Anani,"Not if we want to make it back in time for a good rest before tomorrow's ceremony."
"...I suppose you're right." Hop sighed as he looked to the sky through the end of the tunnel. Evening would soon be coming and they would have to prepare to head back, "Tell you what...I'll sleep like a log tonight that's for sure."
"Besides..." She said as she checked on the sleeping fox Poke'mon, "I don't know about you Hop, but I feel like this is a more important matter."
Hop blinked a moment as he watched her handle the bag with tender care. He couldn't help but smile warmly and give in.
"You're right." he said softly.
the rival team looked to each other in confusion.
"Right~ well...aren't you polite," said Avery as he cleared his throat, "Well you heard them , let's grab them and go!" They acted quickly laughing as though they had just grasped a triumphant victory.
Klara however, stopped for a moment and glanced back at the two. She felt a bit awkward, winning this way, and blinked a few times before speaking up.
"Uh...hey..." she said softly, calling for their attention. Naturally they both looked up curiously.
"I just wanna say...well..." she gulped as she shifted her weight in her butterfly pump heels,"...Thank you." She bowed politely, and hurried on ahead to catch up to Avery.
"They're a right annoying lot, eh?" Hop said unamused.
"I'm sorry Hop..." Anani said softly, "I know you really wanted to win."
"Bah, it's all right." Hop chuckled, "This was just a bit of competitive practice before the real competition begins." he grinned, "You know, the one between you and me~" he laughed, "besides...you're right." He spoke softly as he peeked inside at the resting Zorua,"This is a far more important matter, I'd like to make sure this little guy is okay before we decide to head on back."
Anani gave a soft smile and nodded as her friend rested his arm over her shoulders and they wandered back together.
XXXXX
Honey hummed a cheerful tune as she stirred the soup.
"I've really out done myself this time~" she chimed, "Now I just need the Mushrooms~"
"Right here, !" said Klara waving for attention while Avery handed over their success.
"We passed easily~" Avery added with a grin.
"Too bad for the newbies." said Klara, "Maybe next time~"
Hop and Anani sat together on the Mat, checking on the sleeping Poke'mon. It seemed to be resting well, and they felt relieved. Klara watched them with a heavy heart as Avery handed over the mushrooms, before letting out a heavy sigh and speaking up.
"Actually Ms. Honey..." she said softly, "That's not true."
"Klara!?" Avery blinked.
"But it's true, Avery." she stated, "We weren't the ones to find these mushrooms."
"Oh?" Honey blinked.
Avery let out a heavy sigh.
"She's right." he said, "Actually...the truth is-"
"That Anani and Hop were the ones who found those Mushrooms."
"Master Mustard!" the two gasped together as the cheerful old man waddled in with a smile.
"You mean..." Klara blinked, "You knew all along?"
"But of course." He chuckled, "But Klara, you and Avery were about to come clean about the truth of the matter." he stated,"And that is mighty big of you to do so...for that purpose, I'd say you still deserve a pass." he said, "And naturally...for finding the Mushrooms in the first place I will still grant a pass to Hop and Anani as well."
"Really!?" Hop beamed, "Wicked!"
"Thank you, Master." Anani bowed politely, "That's very kind of you."
"But of course." said Mustard, "You have a valid reason for giving up the Musrooms after all." he said with a smile.
"Really?" Avery blinked, "What sort of reason could they have for giving up victory?"
"Yeah surely it can't be strictly out of the kindness of their hearts."
"You know not all of us are rotten rivals!" Hop muttered while Mustard chuckled as he nodded.
"Anani, would you mind opening up that bag for us?"
"Oh...uh..." she blinked, "Of course Master Mustard," she said as she kneeled down to unfasten the bag, "You see there was an incident with an Amoongus in the Forest of Focus and-AHH!" She let out a startled squeal as a black blur leapt from the bag and pounced on her playfully licking her face.
"Lookit!" Hop laughed, "He looks right chipper I'd say!"
"Ourua ru!" the small fox yipped and waggled its tail playfully.
"What's this!?" Avery gasped.
"It's a Zorua!" Klara giggled, "Aww it's so cute~!"
"What a relief...!" Anani said, "I'm so happy!" she giggled as Zorua leapt on her again and snuggled into her.
"Well would you look at that." Honey chuckled.
"This Zorua was hurt." said Mustard," So Hop and Anani took it upon themselves to nurse it back to health..." he grinned, "I'd say he's quite grateful, wouldn't you agaree?"
In that instant, the playful fox Poke'mon leapt from Anani and flipped into the air, taking on the reflected form of the girl that held her and let out playful cries.
"Grateful! Grateful!" said the Zorua in Anani's form.
"That's incredible!" said Hop,"I knew Zorua had the ability to transform, but this is wicked!" he grinned.
The Zorua giggled and transformed back, leaping back into Anani's arm licking gratefully at her cheeks as he wagged his little tail.
"HaHaHa...shifty or not..."Hop chuckled, "This little bugger is still cute!" he said with a grin as he held up an open palm. Zorua sniffed at it a bit before giving it a little lick.
"Anani..." Mustard said softly, "You showed kindess to both Poke'mon and your rivals." he stated, "You gave up victory and placed the well being of another above it." he said, "That alone, is plenty reason to grant you a pass on this trial with flying colors." he said placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "And I think your friend there agrees."
"Ouruaro!" yipped the small fox.
"Anani...I think Zorua might want to come with us." he stated.
"What?" she blinked, "You think so?"
"Well look at him." said Hop as he played with with critter who seemed more than happy to oblige,"It seems quite attatched already." he grinned.
"Perhaps you should try catching it" said Mustard.
Anani blinked a moment before exchanging a glance with the small fox. He looked up gleefully and let out a purring sound that brought a smile onto her face.
"Well...all right then." said Anani as she reached back and pulled out a Poke'ball, "With your permission Zorua, would you like to-"
Zorua didn't bother with a response, but instead yipped for joy and booped the center button with its nose. The familiar red beam of light engulfed the small fox and took it in, followed by the satsifying ding of a successful capture and laughter.
"Well mate...seems that answers that." Hop beamed, "Looks like Shifty is coming along with us."
"Haha, Well then~" Mustard grinned, "I think Shifty is right where he belongs~!" he chuckled, "Now hurry along to the table you lot." he said, "Soup's on~"
Exchanging a smile with her, Hop stood and offered her a helping hand before playfully racing to the kitchen, Leaving Mustard and behind in the common room.
"Are you all right, dear?" Honey asked, "You seem lost in thought."
"It's that young woman...Anani." he said calmly, resting a heavy gaze on the girl who helped pass the bowls out to the fellow students, all congratulating her on her latest "capture".
"She's got a darkness in her..." he stated, "Running from something...a fear she has stashed so deeply in her heart that she seems to be unconsciously placing a mental block on it."
"Oh my..." said Honey, "Is she all right."
"Oh...I think she will be fine." he chuckled, "So long as she sticks to the path that is hers, and does what she needs to do...something fortuitous awaits for her." he blinked, "And not only her...that young man Hop as well." he said, "I think there's no one better suited for the Armor of this Dojo." he said, "But we'll find out soon enough."
To Be Continued