Gloria had practically floated out of the taxi when it dropped her off at her home. She skipped up the steps and through her front door, the Bedew belonging to her mother watched her go by.
"Mum!" Gloria called out. The only response she got was snoring from Munchlax.

"Mum?" Gloria called again, but there was no answer.

She looked at the dining room table and saw a folded-up piece of paper resting on it. She walked over and picked up the paper to unfold it. It was a letter from her mother.

Hey Gloria!

I wasn't sure if you were returning this morning, so just in case I wrote you this note

I'm meeting with your father for an early lunch. After that, I'm gonna go to the store.

I'll be back in a few hours

Take care of yourself!

Love, Mum

Gloria smiled, as much as she loved her family; she did enjoy times when she could have the house to herself. She could make herself a cup of tea and sit in the living room completely undisturbed if she wanted. So that's what she was going to do.

Once the tea was ready, she walked over to the couch and sat in front of the telly. Turning it on to a patisserie commercial. Watching it made her think about sweet treats…

"Those look delicious…" She whispered, eying the treats that were being shown.

Taking sips of her tea, she took out her rotom phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her eyes rested on her newest addition, Bede. For a few minutes, she couldn't stop staring at it.

"I'm not gonna call him right away of course…" She muttered. Trying to distract herself, she closed the contact list and opened her Pokedex. She randomly scrolled through the entries she had accumulated during her adventure. She didn't even know what she was looking for, she just mindlessly scrolled.

Then she stopped and placed her now empty teacup on the coffee table. She stood and walked to her bedroom. Sitting on her bed, she took her phone again and stared at the home screen. One of her pokeballs popped open, out came Flareon. Gloria noticed this but didn't pay any mind.

"Hi Bede!" She spoke to the idle phone screen.

Flareon looked at her.

"Wh…What's going on? How are things?"

Flareon tilted her head out of confusion.

"Ah! Had a lot of gym battles today? I see… well, that's fun!"

Gloria was pretending to talk to him over the phone. Flareon hopped on the bed and looked around, trying to figure out who her trainer was talking too.

In Ballonea, Bede was having a similar moment. He sat in the office of the gym, looking at his newest contact.

"When would be a good time to call her?" He muttered, "Obviously I can't do that now…" His nerves made him so restless he had to get up and start pacing around. After a while, he stopped and thought to himself, "Why am I so tensed up about this? It's just Gloria…"

His mind went back to what Avery said about him. His face began to turn red but he tried to shake out of it.

"I don't have a crush on her…" Bede muttered, "There's no way I could have those feelings for her, she's my rival!"

Yet why did he enjoy her company so much? Why did he make an effort to spend time with her? Why is it that he can't seem to take his mind off her when they are apart? And most importantly, why did he get so enthusiastic when they exchanged numbers?

Bede tried to make an excuse, "It's nothing, I've just been overwhelmed by my schedule that's all…"

A knock came from the door. He responded, "Yes?"

"Bede, we've got a challenger." Annette's voice answered.

"All right, I'll be right there."

Instead of leaving, Annette pushed the door open just enough to stick her head in, "Are you okay, Bede? You've been acting a bit off…"

Bede was surprised at her saying this, but replied, "I'm fine, Annette."

But she knew better, "Is it about Gloria?"

"No." He denied quickly.

She remained suspicious, but decided to let it go for now, "If you say so. Well, we should get going. The challenger is waiting."

"You go ahead. I'll catch up." Bede instructed. Annette nodded and closed the door.
Once he heard her footsteps fade away, he took a deep breath and pushed those thoughts aside. Then he grabbed his team and went out to greet the challenger. Readying himself for battle.

In Postwick, Gloria had left her house and was trekking to Professor Sonia's lab. She had almost forgotten to tell her all about what went down at the Isle of Armor this morning. She hurried, excited to share the news.

Once the lab was in view, she eagerly ran to the door and entered.

"Sonia!"

Sonia was standing at her desk, Hop was there too. He smiled and waved, "Gloria! You're here!"

"Gloria! How are things?" Sonia greeted.

"Hey Hop! Hey Sonia!" Gloria replied, "I uh… had something to share!" She smiled nervously.

Sonia already knew what she was going to share. She became eager, "Oh, of course! Share away! I've been wondering when I'd get an update on this."

Hop was confused, "Huh? An update? On what?"

Sonia's eyes widened in fear, "Oh shoot! I don't think I was supposed to say that in front of you Hop!

Gloria immediately assured her, "It's okay, Professor! I've told him already."

Sonia faced Gloria, "You told him?"

"Yup!" Gloria nodded, "Hop, I saw Bede again today."

"Huh? You did?" Hop appeared worried, "Oh no, that's a bit of bad luck for you mate! I'm so sorry to hear that!"

"No, no. It's okay!" Gloria spoke quickly, "He was really nice. He saw my battle with Avery."

Sonia let out a relieved sigh, "Oh thank goodness, I thought I screwed up for a second. Haha!"

Hop chuckled, "A battle with Avery? I would've loved to see that! I bet Bede was so jealous he wasn't the one battling you!"

Gloria laughed, "I'm sure he was!"

Hop remembered, "I mean, the guy literally burst into the championship tournament just to battle you! I still can't believe he did that… what a lunatic!"
Gloria chuckled shyly.

"So, he was nice? Wow, are you sure you were talking to Bede?" Hop ribbed with an impish grin.

"It was definitely him, Hop." Gloria rolled her eyes with a smile.

Hop raised his eyebrows and opened his mouth, "Oh, I see. He's trying to get you to let your guard down with this whole 'nice guy' act. Heh! I gotta say, I'd never expect him to use such a strategy!"

"You think so?" Gloria nervously inquired.

Hop chuckled, "Poor guy, I bet Opal's giving him the hardest time! It must be making him go crazy."

Gloria peered over to Sonia, who was giving her a knowing glance. Gloria looked at her with a puzzled look, but Sonia just giggled and nodded, "Keep it up, Gloria!" She encouraged. Gloria and Hop looked at her in response.

"What do you mean by that Professor?" Hop asked.

Sonia giggled again, "Oh, you'll see. Hop, could you do me a favor and grab me the journal about evolutionary stones?"

Hop wasn't expecting the sudden request, but he complied, "Sure thing Professor! I'll be right back!" He rushed into a different room. Sonia turned to Gloria once he was gone.

"Sonia…" Gloria whispered.

"So, what else happened Gloria?" She inquired with a wink.

Gloria suddenly grew anxious, "Um… I ah… I got his number…" She spoke quietly.

Sonia reacted excitedly, "Oh, you did? That's amazing Gloria!"

"Yeah… but I don't know when I should call him…"

Sonia thought about it, before answering, "I would say wait three days."

Gloria slumped forward, "Hah… that's literally what everyone says…"

"Sorry! I read that advice in a magazine somewhere! I didn't know what else to say…"

After a few seconds of silence, Gloria replied, "Well, thank you for trying Professor. I appreciate your help."

"No problem, Gloria! Hey, whatever happens, happens. Just go with what your heart says." Sonia winked.

Gloria smiled, "I will Professor."

Hop came rushing back into the room with a book in hand, gasping to catch his breath, "Hah…! I finally found it! It's got a bit of dust on it but… here it is!" Hop held it up proudly.

Sonia took it, "Thank you, Hop."

Gloria looked at them, "I'm going to head out now. I'll see you both later, okay?"

Hop smiled, "See you later, mate! Be safe out there!"

"Bye Gloria!" Sonia waved.

Gloria waved at them both and she turned to exit the lab. Once she was outside, she thought about what Sonia had said. It didn't fully calm her fears, but it helped her knowing she had a support system. In Galar Route 1, Gloria hopped over the wooden fence along the dirt road to go take a seat in the grass. She looked at her rotom phone again, "Hm… follow my heart huh?" She shrugged and put her phone away before turning to face the endless farm fields.

Flashback…

Six year old Gloria felt like she was running for her life across the endless farm fields of Galar route one. She wasn't in any danger, as a matter of fact, she was having the time of her life. Her best friend Hop was rushing slightly ahead of her.

"Come on Gloria!" Six year old Hop called to her with a smile, "We're almost there!"

They made it to the top of the hill where they were able to see a clear view of Wedgehurst. The children gazed upon the sunset townscape with starry eyes. They knew they weren't allowed to venture much past the point they were at, but they always wanted to push the boundaries.

"Wow, look Gloria, that's Wedgehurst!" Hop pointed.

"It's so cool!" Gloria replied, "There are more houses there!"

"I hope we get to go there one day." Hop desired, "I want to see the whole world!"

"I'm sure we can do it Hop!" Gloria encouraged, "Once we get big enough."

"You know, my brother Leon is going there tomorrow! He's starting his Gym Challenge. I'm gonna miss him so much!" Hop started to cry a little, "I want him to take me with him!"

Gloria gave him a hug, "I'll miss him too.. he's always so fun! I want to get my own Pokémon one day!"

"We both will!" Hop declared, "You'll have to battle me when we do!"

Gloria agreed with this, "Yes, that's what we'll do!"

The kids were so into their conversation, that they didn't see a teenage Leon sneaking up behind them. He had been told to find the children and take them home, as it was almost dinner time. But he was gonna have a bit of fun first.

He put his arms out in front of him and let out a playful roar. Gloria and Hop turned around and squealed upon seeing Leon running toward them.

"Run Gloria!" Hop yelled. Both children ran in opposite directions. Leon chose to run after his little brother and caught up with him quickly. Taking him to the ground and tickling him. Hop began to laugh and yelled to Gloria for help. Gloria rushed over and jumped onto Leon's back. Leon rolled over onto his side which allowed Hop to escape. Gloria fell to the ground and Leon turned his attention onto her, tickling her. Hop immediately ran over.

"I'll save you Gloria!" Hop declared and shoved his brother. Leon lost his balance and the children took the opportunity to dish out some tickling onto him. Leon laughed out loud, "Okay, okay! I give up!"

Once they all settled down and got to their feet, Hop remembered the fact that he was going to be leaving tomorrow. He beseeched his brother, "Please Leon, don't leave us behind!"

Gloria was also adamant, "We don't want you to leave!"

Leon was a bit taken aback, but he assured the children, "It's gonna be okay you two. I won't be gone forever! This is something I'm doing for me. I've been wanting this for a long time!"

"You won't forget about us, will you?" Gloria looked at him with Deerling eyes.

Leon chuckled, "Of course not, Gloria! And remember, you two will be able to go on your own journeys once you're older."

"I can't wait to get my own Pokémon!" Hop enthused.

"One day you will." Leon replied.

"Leon! Hop! Gloria!"

The voice of a teenage Sonia made all of them stop. They all saw her rushing up to them.

"Ah, Sonia!" Leon greeted her.

Sonia's hair was a bit shorter back then and she was wearing it down that day. She was wearing denim trousers and a mint green tee.

"I was coming to see what was taking you so long to fetch the children. I was worried you had gotten lost!"

Leon chuckled bashfully, "Ah, I'm sorry… I was just having a chat with them about tomorrow that's all."

Hop looked at Sonia with hopeful eyes, "Miss Sonia, you won't let big brother leave us right?"

Sonia giggled, "He's not leaving you, Hop. I swear!"

"Sonia!" Gloria rushed up to Sonia, "Sonia, you'll be doing the gym challenge with Leon too, won't you?"

"I will Gloria! Don't worry, we won't forget about you two!" Sonia assured the child, "We're just doing what we want to do."

"That's right." Leon affirmed, "Now, let's get back and get dinner! Our parents must be wondering where we are."

Leon and Sonia laughed together as they took the children by the hands and led them back home for supper. Before the two teens would be leaving for their journeys.

End of Flashback

Gloria still remembered that day vividly. The years flew by, but the days felt so slow. Nonetheless, everyone is happy where they are now. Sonia had dropped out of the challenge but was now the regional professor. Leon had become the Galar champion before being overthrown by Gloria. Despite this, he still keeps busy and active. Hop is now Sonia's assistant, and Gloria is now the new champion.

Gloria walked over to the hillside where her and Hop looked at Wedgehurst and gazed upon the townscape like they did all those years ago. It still looked very much the same. Despite many things in the world being different now.

She glanced upward at the sky feeling wistful, and hoping things would continue to go well.