Hey guys! I know it's been a week already, but somehow my birthday, my school projects and exams, and Easter vacations all happened to mix together in a maelstrom of chaos, which only got more agitated when I got Smash Bros for 3DS. So, I haven't had that much time for writing and I fear I'm slowly losing my passion for HOPL. Check my profile if you want to know why. Anyways, I hope that when you read this it hasn't been another week and I'm not buried deep under a mountain of work, and I hope that this at least satisfies you for a while. Remember, next chapter is Serena vs May so be patient.

Also, I used the pokedollar symbol in this chapter, and it probably won't show. So if you see this: P it means pokedollar.

Chapter 19: Restoral

"Guys!" Diamond silenced the room.

"I have something very important to announce." He looked nervous. He gulped and looked down, sighing.

"I'm gay."

"We knew it already." Nate shrugged, trying to hide his smile.

"Godammit!" Diamond turned around and handed Black 20 000P and shook his head.

"How did you know his exact words?"

Black chuckled, counting the money. "Believe me, I know him better than he knows himself."

"Wait what? What just happened?" Ruby frowned.

"I accepted a stupid bet that Nate would say those exact words when I faked being gay. As you can see, I just lost 20kP,.

"Is this what happens everyday? I remember it was much more calm when I was here. Then again, the only troublemaker was Gold." Krystal smiled at him.

"Mostly, yes." Red did not take his eyes off his pokemon crossword puzzle, scribbling every answer as fast as he could.

"So Red. You said something yesterday about me re-entering the tournament. How can I do that?"

After he finished the puzzle, (After three more seconds), he looked up at Krystal.

"You can either restart the tournament and see if you can defeat Leaf, or you can just enter and take the ranking you had before you left. However, choosing to restart the tournament will make it so we have zero days to rest (Because of both tournaments) and choosing to take your old spot will not let you battle against Leaf. Instead, you will only fight Serena. If Serena loses to you though, you will have the chance to finish the tournament for her and battle Leaf for the top female spot. You have up to next week to decide." Red went back to The Daily BuzzNav.

"I don't need a week. I'm retaking my spot under Leaf. Then I'll crush Serena and fight against Leaf one more time for the number one rank." Krystal grinned and put her fists together, looking at Serena and Leaf.

Red and Leaf seemed surprised.

"Are you sure you're well enough for full-on intense pokemon battles? This is Leaf we're talking about. Not any Youngster Joey." Red said with concern.

"I'm fine. I'm better than ever and I'm thirsting for an actual trainer-to-trainer battle. Specially against someone like Leaf or Serena."

Leaf smiled and shrugged. "It's your decision. But don't come crying when I beat you just like last time."

"Don't be so sure of yourself, Branch." Kris went up to Leaf sporting a confident grin.

"I have no doubts I'll crush you again, Glass." Leaf stood up. Leaf was only slightly taller, and held her stare.

Red and Gold chuckled.

"You know, I kind of missed this. Don't you?" Gold smiled.

"Definitely." Red nodded in response.

"And I'm going to fight these people." Serena put a hand over her eyes and forehead and shook her head.

"At least you're not fighting a wall." Calem darted his eyes at Red, who was laughing with Gold.

"It's amazing how he can be a steel statue during battle but around the house he's so casual."

"And so careless with Leaf." Serena added.

"I just hope Leaf is at least a bit easier than Red and I won't be defeated 6-1."

"And Krystal?"

"Meh. I haven't seen her in a battle before. Judging by her looks and what others told me she could either be a really good decent trainer or an average Pokemon Master. I don't see why she's under Leaf. Maybe I'll be proven wrong."

"Probably." Lyra muttered, chewing her strawberry and staring directly at Gold and Krystal.

There you go. I know the chapter's short, but my plan was to make a whole chapter out of putting her in a team, and I overestimated my ability to stretch out the chapter. Again, I'm sorry for the short chapter and the long wait (compared to the others) and look forward to the next chapter, because it will be coming soon. (Since it's a battle chapter) I promise the next non-battle chapter will be a lot more interesting and a way longer.

Also, one question: who do you want to battle Leaf? Serena or Krystal? I can't have both, so you decide.

I really want to see your reviews so please leave one! Every single one helps!