When the news reached the Orange Islands about Chairman Rose's betrayal and Galar nearly being destroyed by Eternatus, I felt my heart drop. Panic set in like a tidal wave. My region—my home—had been on the brink of catastrophe, and my older brother, Leon, was right in the middle of it all.
I couldn't sit still, knowing that Leon was dealing with this crisis. Luckily, Chairman Rose had been captured, and the immediate danger was over. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. Without wasting a moment, Goh and I booked the first plane to Galar.
The flight felt endless, my mind racing with worry and what-ifs. I clutched my Rotom Phone, my lifeline to any updates on the situation. Goh and I watched the live stream of Leon's press conference, the media hounding him with questions and accusations. Every word they flung at him felt like a personal attack, and I could feel my anger rising.
"How long had you known about Chairman Rose's plans?" one journalist demanded.
"Why did you wait until it was almost too late to act?" another shouted.
"Have you ever been involved in Chairman Rose's schemes?" came a particularly harsh question.
Each accusation stung, making my blood boil. How could they question Leon's integrity after everything he'd done to save Galar? Didn't they understand the pressure he was under, the decisions he had to make?
I glanced at Goh, who looked just as frustrated. "Can you believe this?" I muttered, unable to tear my eyes away from the screen. "They're treating him like a criminal!"
Goh nodded, his expression serious. "It's not fair. Leon did everything he could to protect Galar."
Despite the barrage of questions, Leon remained composed. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the chaos he must have been feeling inside. He answered each question with a steady voice, never letting them see him falter.
"I understand your concerns," Leon said, his voice unwavering. "Chairman Rose's actions were a betrayal to us all. I acted as soon as I had enough evidence to stop him, and I worked with other Champions to ensure Galar's safety. My priority has always been to protect this region and its people."
His words resonated with me, filling me with a mix of pride and sadness. Leon had always been my hero but seeing him under such scrutiny hurt more than I could express.
The plane landed in Galar, and Goh and I rushed through the airport, my heart pounding with urgency. We needed to get to Leon, to show him that we were there for him, no matter what.
When we finally reached the conference hall, I spotted Leon standing tall, facing the reporters with an unyielding resolve. I pushed through the crowd, my eyes locking onto my brother's. He saw me and gave a slight nod, a silent acknowledgment that brought a wave of relief.
As the press conference ended, I rushed to Leon, pulling him into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay," I whispered, feeling the weight of the world lift off my shoulders.
Leon hugged me back, his voice soft yet strong. "I'm glad you're here, Hop. It means a lot."
Goh stood beside us, offering his support. "You've got a lot of people behind you, Leon. Don't forget that."
Leon smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Thank you, both of you. We'll get through this together."
When Leon took Goh and me to his office, now located in Chairman Rose's penthouse at Rose Tower, my jaw dropped. The sight of towering piles of paperwork overflowing his desk was overwhelming. I shifted my gaze to Leon's face and, for the first time, noticed the dark bags under his eyes, poorly concealed by makeup. My brother was exhausted, and it was clear the weight of managing the aftermath was taking its toll.
Leon sank into his chair, the weariness palpable in his every movement. "This is why I asked you not to come back to Galar for a while, Hop," he began, his voice heavy with fatigue. "I didn't want Chairman Rose to use you as leverage against me."
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Leon had been trying to protect me, even if it meant keeping me away from our home. "Are you getting enough sleep?" I asked, my concern deepening as I saw the strain in his eyes.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm getting as much as I can, given the state Galar is in. There's just so much to do."
Goh, always practical, chimed in. "You know, Leon, you don't have to do everything by yourself. There are people who can help."
Leon gave a tired smile, appreciating the sentiment. "I know, Goh. I'm delegating as much as possible. But with Lance and Cynthia needing to return to their own regions, and with Ash staying here to help, it's still too much."
I glanced at the stacks of paperwork, feeling a mix of admiration and frustration. Admiration for Leon's dedication, frustration at the monumental task before him. "Ash really stayed?" I asked, surprised but grateful.
"Yeah," Leon replied, a hint of relief in his voice. "Ash insisted that the Orange Islands are in good hands and that he'd fly back on his Pidgeot the moment anything changed."
Leon's words made me feel a bit better, knowing that Ash was there to support him. Still, it was clear my brother was stretched thin. "You need to take care of yourself, Leon. Galar needs you, but it needs you at your best."
He nodded, but I could see the stubborn determination in his eyes. "I know, Hop. But right now, there's just so much to fix. I can't let anyone down."
Goh stepped closer, placing a hand on Leon's shoulder. "You're not letting anyone down. You're doing more than anyone could ask for. Just remember, it's okay to lean on others. We're all in this together."
Leon smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "Thanks, Goh. I'm glad Hop has you as a friend." Goh blushed at the compliment, feeling bashful.
In that moment, I felt a surge of pride and a fierce determination to help my brother in any way I could. We settled into the office for the rest of the day, helping Leon with the mountain of work. Leon then showed us to his apartment, and we stayed for the night. The following day, after breakfast, Goh and I decided to see Leon's Charizard. Visiting the Pokémon Center to check on Leon's Charizard was something I never thought I'd find myself doing, especially under these circumstances. Goh and I walked through the automatic doors, the familiar antiseptic smell filling the air. We headed straight to the recovery wing, where injured Pokémon lounged and healed after battles.
When we found Leon's Charizard, I couldn't help but feel a pang of shock and concern. There he was, sprawled out on one of the large mats, looking beat up but oddly satisfied. Right next to him was Ash's Charizard, equally roughed up but wearing the same pleased expression. It was like they were old war buddies, basking in the aftermath of a hard-fought victory. Goh's eyes widened with amazement, practically sparkling as he took in the sight of the two powerful Charizard side by side.
"Look at them," Goh said, shaking his head in disbelief. "They look like they've been through the wringer, but you can tell they're proud of themselves."
I had to agree with him. Both Charizard bore the signs of a fierce battle—scuffed scales, singed wings, and tired eyes—but there was an undeniable air of satisfaction about them. It was almost ridiculous how pleased they seemed, considering the state they were in. Battle maniacs, the both of them.
Seeing Leon's Charizard like this was strange for me. To me, Charizard had always been this unbeatable force of nature, practically invincible. But now, seeing him so worn out, it was a stark reminder of just how intense the recent battles had been. It made everything feel more real, more immediate.
I was lost in thought when Raihan walked in, his tall frame and confident stride immediately noticeable. "Hey, Hop, Goh," he greeted us with a nod, his expression softening when he saw the Charizard pair. "Checking on the champs, huh?"
"Yeah," I replied, still trying to wrap my head around seeing Charizard like this. "It's weird seeing them like this. They look so... beaten up."
Raihan chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice. "They gave everything they had, and it shows. But don't worry, they'll be back to their old selves in no time. If anything, this'll make them stronger."
His words were comforting, but I could still see the exhaustion in Charizard's eyes. I turned back to Raihan, hoping for some good news. "What about Chairman Rose and Oleana? What's going to happen to them?"
Raihan's expression turned serious, a hard edge to his gaze. "They're behind bars, Hop. They won't be seeing the light of day anytime soon. Justice has been served."
Hearing that was a relief. Knowing those two were locked up, unable to cause any more harm, took a weight off my shoulders. "Good," I said, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "They deserve it."
Raihan nodded, then glanced back at the Charizard duo. "We owe a lot to these guys, and to your brother and Ash. They stepped up when Galar needed them the most."
I couldn't help but smile at that. Despite everything, despite the exhaustion and the battles, Leon had done it. He'd saved Galar, with a little help from his friends. And now, looking at his Charizard, I felt a renewed sense of pride.
As Goh and I left the Pokémon Center, I couldn't shake the image of Charizard from my mind. He might be healing, but he was still the same fierce, determined Pokémon I'd always admired. And Leon, no matter how tired or overworked, was still my unbeatable big brother. We had a long road ahead, but with Charizard and Leon leading the way, I knew we'd be okay.