I couldn't shake off the confusion swirling within me as I listened to Leon's words through the Rotom Phone. Why was he telling me not to return to Galar unless I really needed to? It didn't make sense. Galar was my home, my region, where I belonged.

"Leon, I don't understand," I said, my voice laced with frustration. "What's going on? Why can't I come back home?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and for a moment, I held my breath, waiting for an answer. But when Leon finally spoke, his tone was cryptic, his words leaving me with more questions than answers. "Hop, trust me on this," he said, his voice serious. "You're safer where you are, under Ash's protection. Just... stay put for now, okay?"

I frowned, my confusion deepening. "But why, Leon? What's happening in Galar?" Again, Leon dodged the question, and frustration bubbled up inside me. It was like talking to a brick wall, and no matter how hard I pressed, I couldn't seem to break through. "Leon, I need to know," I insisted, my voice firm. "I have a right to know what's going on in my own region."

There was a long silence, and for a moment, I thought Leon had hung up on me. But then, reluctantly, he sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. "Hop," he said finally. "Promise me you won't come back until I give you the okay. Trust me, it's for your own safety."

I hesitated, torn between my loyalty to my brother and my desire to know the truth. But in the end, I knew I had no choice but to comply. "Okay, Leon," I said, my voice resigned. "I promise."

As I hung up the Rotom Phone, a wave of unease washed over me, leaving me feeling adrift. What had just happened? Why was Leon being so cryptic, so evasive? And most importantly, what was going on in Galar that was so dangerous? My mind raced with a million different possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. Was there some kind of threat looming over our region, something that Leon wasn't telling me about? Or was it something even more sinister, something that he couldn't even bring himself to speak of?

The more I thought about it, the more my fear grew, like a gnawing pit in the pit of my stomach. Galar was my home and the thought of being kept away from it filled me with a sense of helplessness that was almost suffocating. But even more than my fear for Galar, was my fear for Leon. My big brother, my mentor, my idol. The thought of him facing some unknown danger, alone and without backup, sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't bear the thought of something happening to him, of losing him like I had lost Mum and Dad.

And then there was the fear for everyone else back home. Our friends, our family, our fellow trainers. What if they were in danger too? What if whatever was threatening Galar was already wreaking havoc on our beloved region? The uncertainty was almost too much to bear, and I found myself wishing desperately for some kind of clarity, some kind of sign that everything was going to be okay. But deep down, I knew that there were no easy answers, no quick fixes.

All I could do was trust in Leon's judgment, as difficult as that might be. He was my brother, after all, and I had to believe that he was doing what he thought was best for all of us. But that didn't make it any easier to cope with the overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty that threatened to consume me whole. So, I got off bed and dressed up, I needed to get ready for class anyway.

As I stepped out of my room and into the bustling corridors of Naranja Academy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy wash over me. The academy was alive with the sound of students chattering and laughing, their energy infectious as they moved from class to class. The academy buzzed with activity, students bustling to and for as they moved between classes and exams. Some were engrossed in animated discussions, while others hurriedly flipped through textbooks, cramming in last-minute revision before their next lesson. The students might be all over the regions, doing their independent study project, but they still had to come to the Naranja Academy from time to time to assist to class and sit down for their exams.

I took a deep breath, trying to push aside the lingering worry that still gnawed at the edges of my mind. Leon's words echoed in my head, his cryptic message leaving me feeling unsettled and unsure of what to do next. But as much as I wanted to dwell on it, I knew that I had to push those thoughts aside, at least for now. Instead, I focused on the familiar routine of the academy, the comforting rhythm of classes and exams that I had grown accustomed to over the years. It was a welcome distraction, a chance to lose myself in the familiar hum of academia and forget, if only for a moment, about the weight of the world resting on my shoulders.

As I made my way to class, I tried to immerse myself in the lesson, to soak up every word and concept like a sponge. It was my way of coping, of finding solace in the one thing that had always brought me comfort: learning.

And for a while, it worked. The worries and fears that had plagued me earlier began to fade into the background, replaced by the excitement of discovery and the thrill of knowledge. I lost myself in the flow of the lesson, letting the familiar cadence of my teacher's voice wash over me like a soothing balm. But even as I buried myself in my studies, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The memory of my conversation with Leon lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the uncertainty that loomed over our region.

But for now, all I could do was focus on the task at hand and hope that everything would eventually fall into place. After all, worrying wouldn't change anything, and I owed it to myself to make the most of the present moment, no matter what the future held. So, I sat down besides my best friend and tried to act as normal as I could. It worked, I had pretty normal day at school until lunch hour. During the break between classes, Goh and I found ourselves seated together at our usual spot in the bustling cafeteria of Naranja Academy. As we dug into our lunches, Goh's excitement was palpable as he animatedly shared his latest scheme with me.

"Hey, Hop, you won't believe what I'm planning!" Goh exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his sudden burst of excitement. "What's up, Goh? What's got you so worked up?"

With a grin, Goh leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've decided to head to Vermilion Forest and catch all the Bug-type Pokémon of Kanto!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm, but my amusement quickly turned to confusion. "Wait, since when did you become a Bug Specialist?" I asked, genuinely perplexed by his sudden change in focus.

Goh shook his head, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'm not aiming to become a Bug Specialist, Hop. I just want to catch every single Pokémon out there, from every region!"

I stared at him in disbelief, my laughter fading as I realized that he was being serious. "Goh, that's... that's insane," I replied, struggling to wrap my head around his audacious plan. "You can't possibly catch every Pokémon in the world. It's just not realistic."

But Goh's excitement remained undiminished, and he looked at me with a hopeful expression. "But think about it, Hop! Imagine the adventure, the thrill of discovering new Pokémon in every corner of the world. It would be amazing!"

I sighed, shaking my head in exasperation. "Goh, I get that you're passionate about catching Pokémon, but you have to be realistic. Trying to catch every Pokémon is not only reckless, but it's also impossible. You wouldn't be able to give each Pokémon the care and attention it deserves. It's borderline Pokémon neglect!"

Goh's expression faltered, his enthusiasm dampened by my words. He glanced down at his half-eaten lunch, a hint of guilt creeping into his features. "I... I guess you're right, Hop," he admitted, his voice tinged with disappointment. "I got carried away with the idea without thinking it through properly."

I reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, offering him a supportive smile. "It's okay, Goh. We all have big dreams, but sometimes we need a reality check to keep us grounded. Just focus on catching the Pokémon that mean the most to you, and I'm sure you'll make a great Trainer."

Goh nodded, a grateful smile spreading across his face. "Thanks, Hop. I'll keep that in mind."