A Love -Hate Relationship

34

Return to the Aisle

A/N: This Fan Fiction is based on the Galar region and games (Sword/Shield) featuring CanonXOC It based on the GAMES and NOT the anime version.

It was a silent and awkward meal as the foursome set up camp and let their Poke'mon out as they cooked up a scrummy curry. It seemed Bede had decided to stick around and no one was convincing him of leaving anytime soon. The reason he decided to stay for a while was unclear...

But one thing was clear...

Was that Hop had been in a downer type of mood ever since the private battle he and Bede shared. Anani sighed watching him. She wasn't used to seeing Hop in such a state...considering he was normally so bright smiley and spirited.

"It's too bad we didn't see how their battle actually went down..." said Marnie, "But considering the shift in mood dynamic...it clearly wasn't good..."

"He lost..." said Anani, "But I don't understand...we win some we lose some." said Anani, "I have never seen Hop so down in the dumps about a loss before...nothing like this..." she sighed.

But it must have been really bad...if it's affected him this much...

"Bear ma Bear Bear!"

"OUCH!" Bede yelped and glared at the small bear Poke'mon, "All right you ratchet little teddy bear LISTEN UP!" he huffed, " I have had it with your headbutting me, YOU GOT THAT!?"

"B-bear ma...mamaaaa!" Kubfu whimpered, startled by Bede's outburst and ran to hide itself behind Anani's leg.

"Fuukuu! Come on now!" said Anani, "Behave yourself huh?" she sighed and pat the bear's head, "I don't know what it is with you, lately..." she blinked, "You've been acting more aggressively than you usually do..."

Hop smirked.

"Oi Fuukuu, do us a favor and do it again a little harder, aye?"

Bede flashed him a leer and for a brief moment the static between them was almost visible.

"Seriously though Hop...I'm really concerned." she stated, "Fuukuu never usually acts this way...I'm starting to get worried."

"Hmm..." Hop blinked, "I'm not really sure myself." he said, "Perhaps it's time we take him back to Master Mustard." he stated.

"Master Mustard?" Marnie blinked.

"He's the Dojo master that gave Anani her Kubfu in the first place..." said Hop, "So he might be able to better explain Kubfu's odd behavior as of late..."

"A Dojo huh?" Marnie blinked curiously.

"Aye." said Hop, "The Master Dojo to be exact." he stated.

Pff...Master Dojo? What's that about?" scoffed Bede as he slurped away at his curry platter. Hop narrowed his eyes in Bede's direction. He'd been in a foul mood since their battle which he refused to talk about...but he simply sighed and obliged the boy with an answer.

"The Master Dojo is where Leon trained..." Hop blinked, "Over on the Aisle of Armor." he explained, "And it's also where Kubfu and Zorua are originally from."

"Hmm..." Bede blinked as he listened.

"Amazing!" said Marnie, "We should go!" she stated, "Maybe the master will know what's going on with Kubfu." she stated, And perhaps I might be able to catch a Zorua too~!" she giggled.`1

"Apparently you're fond of Zoruas, Marnie?" Hop chuckled, "But I do agree...we should definitely go see Master Mustard."

"Yeah..." Anani sighed, "Maybe you're right..." she blinked, "I guess I hail an Air taxi for three then..."

"Uhm...for four!" Bede huffed, "I'm going too!"

Anani blinked as she stared at Bede whose cheeks rosed up before he averted her gaze and crossed his arms, "What? You don't want me to, then?"

"Not particularly, no." said Hop.

"I wasn't asking you!" Bede muttered while glaring daggers at Anani.

"Oh no...that's not it, Bede." said Anani.

"Yes it is! That's totally it." said Hop.

"...I just figure this wouldn't be something that would interest you..." she explained.

"Hmph...my purpose is to collect wishing stars." said Bede, "In order to do that I must search every part of Galar that I can..." he stated, "Including this Aisle of Armor!"

"What's your issue with collecting Wishing Stars, anyway?" asked Hop.

"Hmph." Bede scoffed, "That's none of your business!" he stated, "The point is, I'm going!"

As per usual, Bede and Hop glared daggers at one another, a visible static of tension between their eyes while the two girls are left to the side lines to sigh.

"...Well." Marnie blinked," I guess Bede really is here to stay."

"Yeah..." Anani blinked, "I guess so..." she sighed and hung her eyes on Hop. His entire mood seems to have changed ever since that battle.

I didn't get to see that battle...so I don't know what happened.

Anani blinked as she thought to herself.

The only thing I do know...is that whatever happened...it was pretty bad...

She sighed watching her friend who tended to keep his distance from the group as of late. As well as talk a lot less and smile even lesser than that. He seemed lost in his own thoughts.

I wish you would talk to me, Hop...

I want to know what's going on with you...so I can help you too...

She blinked.

Like how you help me...I owe you that much, I think...

"Anani!" Hop's voice chimed out the echoing of her own thoughts as he waved his arm for her attention, "Taxi's arrived."

"Oh...right." said Anani as she quickly hopped in the seat ad just as Hop was about to step in after her, Bede slipped in and slid beside her glancing back with a cocky sneer.

"Now let's just see if this Aisle of Armor is all that it's cut out to be..." he said as he leaned back in his seat. Hop gave him an irritated twitch and sighed sliding into the back with Marnie.

"To the Aisle of Armor, please." he said before leaning back in his sigh. He then tilted a bit and leaned on his arm. Sulking and silent through the entire flight. And all Marnie and Anani could do was blink in their curiosity and share a solemn shrugging of shoulders and sigh.

To Be Continued