stars-hearts-gems

[stars-hearts-gems]

SWSH postwickshipping fanfiction part 4 (Champion's Ball)

Events follow THIS (CB #2) directly. Go on and read that first. (summary: Not long after the Pokemon Championship ends with Gloria declared the new Galar Champion, the annual Champion’s Ball is held at the Rose of the Rondelands Hotel in Wyndon. The ball is extra special this year as it’s a Champion’s Inaugural Ball, the time to introduce a new champion to Galar and to the world.)

Further reading: Champion's Ball #1

Words: ~2000

✨👗👑🌼💕💐💋

Had Gloria been closer to him as she tripped over her cape and careened off the stage, Bede would have made good on his earlier promise to be the Champion’s knight in shining armor. But, as it was, all Bede could do was watch.

Gloria fell out of the spotlight and into the darkened crowd like an uncoordinated duck diving into water. Her microphone bounced off the stage floor with a resounding thunk, and gasps reverberated through the hall.

Bede ran a few paces to the front of the stage alongside Leon, Raihan and Oleana. All four squinted out into the audience blindly; a second later, a spotlight operator trained his light on the area where Gloria had fallen.

The scene that met Bede’s eyes was quite different from how he had envisioned this night playing out. There, amidst a gaggle of well-dressed onlookers, was Gloria, tangled in her cape and missing her crown, looking horrified but miraculously unhurt. And kneeling next to her was none other than her dark-haired friend… what was his name? Han? Herb? Bede didn’t remember.

“Are you hurt, Gloria?” called Leon. 

Gloria shook her head silently, her face blooming red.

“Still got all your limbs?” quipped Raihan, trying in vain to diffuse the awkward situation. “Back up, folks, give them some room. Are your brains scrambled? Your Champion health insurance doesn’t kick in until tomorrow, you know.”

The crowd laughed weakly. People were craning their necks to get a view of what was happening on the floor.

“This young man broke her fall!” declared a tall man in the front row in a booming voice. “Bloody glad he did! That could have killed her!”

The crowd murmured appreciatively. 

“Oh, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been that serious,” said Oleana, looking pained. “If you’re really alright, Champion, completely unhurt, why don’t you pick yourself up and we’ll move on with the ceremony?”

Bede turned toward Oleana in outrage. 

“Can’t you give her a minute? She’s just had a terrible fright!”

Oleana ignored him. Her eyes darted toward the many television cameras now pointed at Gloria, who was getting shakily to her feet with assistance from… Chip. Yes. Chip. That’s his name, Bede thought, his heart blooming with jealousy as he noticed the boy’s hand on Gloria’s back. Stupid, stupid Chip.

“Don’t you worry, young lady,” boomed the tall man. “I myself have made many missteps on big stages -- never directly off them, but that’s beside the point. I’ve lived to tell the tale. Trust me, no one will remember this in a few months!” 

Gloria smiled weakly. Bede tried to catch her eye, but wasn’t successful.

“Yes, yes, Mayor Hardstone,” said Oleana eagerly. “Please, won’t you escort the Champion back onto the stage? And perhaps we can get this derailed evening back on track...” she added quietly.

“Don’t be silly, the honor should go to this young man,” Mayor Hardstone said genially, slapping Chip on the shoulder. “He was the one who lunged to catch her while the rest of us just looked on in dumb amazement.”

Bede glared, torn between anger and concern.

“Alright, well, I suppose,” Oleana said. “Come along, you two. Yes, yes, the show’s over. Well, I don’t mean the actual show -- I mean, well, never mind. Can we turn that spot off?”

The bright light snapped off, and Bede saw the shadows of Chip and Gloria walk around to the stage stairs. Chip initially seemed to believe that that was as far as he would go, hanging back away from the stage, but Gloria pulled him out into the light. The room gave a raucous round of applause at her reappearance -- the clapping and cheering was the loudest it had been all night, and continued on and on. 

“Thank you, everyone,” Gloria said sheepishly, once the din had died down again and she was handed back her microphone. “And as I was about to say before I … well, you know… As I was going to say, I’d like to thank my best friend, Hop, for always being there for me. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without his support, in and out of the battle arena!”

Bede’s frown deepened as he watched Chip -- er, Hop -- grin and wave out at the applauding crowd. 

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen!” cried Raihan, back on form as emcee. “Now, may I invite you to run, not walk, toward our absolutely decadent smorgasbord of fine food and drink available for your eating pleasure. And don’t forget to save room for a slice of that magnificent Charizard-shaped cake! I heard that it was so realistic, Leon tried to put it in a Pokeball!”

The crowd laughed. Bede rolled his eyes and glowered over at Gloria and Hop, who were standing very close and whispering to each other.

“We’ll be back in about 30 minutes to start dancing!” announced Raihan. “But for now, buon appetito!” 

An upbeat soundtrack accompanied the crowd’s mass movement toward the tables of food stationed around the edges of the room, which had been flooded with warm light.

Bede sought to salvage the evening by prying Gloria away from Hop. 

“Why don’t we go get you something delicious to eat, to calm your nerves?” Bede said to Gloria. “I can only imagine that if I had just fallen off a stage, I would want to drown my sorrows in chocolate cake.”

“Oh, sure, Bede,” said Gloria. “We can all go.”

“Or, better yet, you can go and get her something to eat,” Hop said to Bede. “We can’t expect the Champion to line up with everyone else. We’ll wait here.”

“Don’t you have your own date to bother? Or are you here all alone?” Bede said acidly.

“Whoa there, pal,” said Hop, eyebrows raised. “You remember Marnie from Spikemuth? We’re here together, I just don’t know where she’s gone off to. No need to act all –”

“Guys, guys,” Gloria said, holding up her hands. “Actually, you’re right, Hop, I don’t really want to get in the mix with everyone else because they’re all bound to be like, ‘Are you okay?’ and stuff. And I would really just rather forget about how I just… well, you know. So, could you actually get me something to eat, Bede? I’d love a fruit tart.”

Bede ground his teeth. He felt like the whole evening was collapsing around him. He’d really been hoping for some alone time with Gloria, a chance to show her how the greatness of Bede so outshined everything about Hop.

Bede’s answer suddenly appeared in the form of a young woman with a microphone and a man holding a large camera. 

“Champion! May we steal your friend for a moment?” the reporter asked, turning to Hop. “We’d like to interview you about what it’s like to be friends with the Champion, and of course about your act of heroism tonight!”

Bede rolled his eyes, but smirked hopefully.

“Oh, uh, no thanks,” said Hop. “There’s really nothing to say about me.”

“Certainly, there is!” prodded the reporter. “I even heard that you were with the Champion at Rose Tower during the Eternatus incident? Our viewers would love it if you would confirm that for us. Everyone’s dying to hear all about you, I promise!”

Bede thought he saw a hungry look in Hop’s eyes as he contemplated the offer. The boy had perked up at the reporter’s recognition of his involvement with Eternatus. Clearly, thought Bede, the kid was feeling under-appreciated.

“Oh, go on, Hop,” said Bede, causing both Hop and Gloria to turn toward him in surprise. “I’m sure the people would love to hear about all the grand adventures you and Gloria have had -- what are you waiting for?”

Hop glared at Bede for a second. He was clearly torn. But then, Hop’s face brightened and he turned back toward the reporter. 

“Alright, let’s do this!” he said, and the three strode off, leaving Gloria and Bede alone.

Bede turned to Gloria, placing a hand on her shoulder. 

“Alright, the evening is ours,” he said grandly. “Let’s get you some food.”

He saw Gloria hesitate, looking off toward the crowded tables with a worried look.

“And then we can hide backstage while we eat? For some peace and quiet?” Bede suggested.

“Yeah, that sounds like a plan,” she said. But Bede noticed she cast a look at Hop's retreating back even as she said it. He bristled.

"I mean, if you don't want to, that's fine," he said.

"No, I do, it's just..." Gloria said. Bede waited, but she seemed to have abandoned her sentence.

"Well, it would be nice if, as my date to this ball, you were able to spend at least a LITTLE time with just me," he said. "Or did you just say you'd come to this with me to make that kid jealous?"

"Oh, of course not!" Gloria said, her eyes snapping back to Bede's face. She looked stricken, and Bede instantly felt guilty for snapping.

"I'll get you a plate, I know what you like," he said, and before she could respond, he turned and walked briskly toward the heavily laden tables. The sight of her furrowed brow made Bede feel sick.

✨✨✨✨

~ Later ~

As the clock neared midnight, the last of the party guests clustered around the edges of the ballroom. 

The room looked even more cavernous to Gloria when it was empty. She couldn’t believe she’d face-flopped onto the carpet in front of all those people just hours ago.

She, Hop, Bede and Marnie were sitting on the edge of the stage watching the crowd thin out. Phones glowed as people hailed rides, some staggering away leaning on their friends.

Marnie’s brother Piers sidled up to the group.

“Alright there, mates? Good party, eh?” he gently cuffed Marnie in the head. “Look, me and some of the other gym leaders are headed back to Raihan’s apartment to keep things going for another hour or two. I’ve got some money here for a Corviknight taxi that’ll take you straight home, Marn. And I can fork over some for the rest of you as well, if you need it. I know it must be past your bedtimes!”

Gloria briefly caught Hop's eye. Neither particularly relished Piers’ insinuation that they were still children. But it was Marnie who spoke first.

“Quit it, you know we’re coming with you,” she said. “You can’t keep partying without the Champion, for god’s sakes, it’s her big night! And if she goes, we go.”

All eyes turned to Gloria.

Gloria's tiredness weighed on her, as did her residual embarrassment from falling off the stage. And as much as she hated to think it, she was somewhat eager to get away from the sullen, quiet Bede who sat beside her, sulking. She wasn't quite sure what she'd done wrong.

"Yeah, I want to come," she said, surprising herself.

"Suit yourself," Piers said with a roll of his eyes, but a smile on his face. "But I'd be amiss if I didn't warn you all: No alcohol, and believe me, I'll be watching. And you should really consider heading home by two at the latest. I know I can't really make rules for the rest of you, but that's when Marnie's Corviknight taxi will be arriving and I suggest you all do the same."

Marnie opened her mouth to protest, but Gloria cut in.

"Sounds fine, Piers. Thanks for inviting us," she said.

Piers nodded in approval of Gloria's diplomacy. "We'll meet out front in 10, okay?" he said. "It'll be Leon, Raihan, myself, Nessa, Milo, Sonia, and probably Gordie if his mother doesn't make him go home early."

Piers left. Gloria turned to the others.

"Well, I know Marnie's coming regardless, but you guys know you can go home if you want, I'm not trying to force anyone to stay up all night if they don't want to," she said.

Hop and Bede answered nearly in unison.

"I'm definitely coming," said each boy emphatically.

✨💃🏻🌸🌿❤️✨

[stars-hearts-gems]

SWSH original fanfiction 3

The Champion’s Ball

Shifting perspectives (Bede; Hop; Marnie; Gloria)

Summary: Not long after the Pokemon Championship ends with Gloria declared the new Galar Champion, the annual Champion’s Ball is held at the Rose of the Rondelands Hotel in Wyndon. The ball is extra special this year as it’s a Champion’s Inaugural Ball, the time to introduce a new champion to Galar and to the world.

Can be read as a standalone. However, events technically follow THIS (#2) and THIS (#1). 

Word count: ~4,000

💋💃🏻👗👑💐✨

“Show me the largest and most elegant bouquets you have,” Bede said. “I need something gigantic and grand. Only the best for my love, the Champion!”

The florist raised an eyebrow. 

“Many people over the years have come to this stand looking for a bouquet they hope will ingratiate themselves with the Champion,” said the muscley, mustachioed florist severely. Bede furrowed his brow.

The florist began to rummage in a display refrigerator bursting with color; he reached for a truly enormous bouquet at the very center.

“These are Stargazer lilies, which represent the everlasting love between two people,” the florist sighed, pointing to some white and pink flowers with freckles and long stamens at the center. “And these,” he pointed to some white buds, “imply professional success, achievement, and sound financial situation.”

“Fantastic. I’ll take it,” Bede said. He tried not to think about how little money he had left in his bank account as he handed the florist his card.

Bede could hardly believe his luck at scoring the position of Champion’s date to the biggest event of the year. If only I had known I would eventually be here, today, all those years ago at the orphanage, Bede thought.

The years he spent at the orphanage were incredibly lonely. But it was that place, where he whiled away the hours practicing his Pokemon training in order to distract himself from thoughts of his parents, that made him the trainer he was today. While he regretted failing to win the title of Champion himself, he had become enamored with the talented, pretty girl who -- rightfully, in his opinion -- now held it.

“Tonight just might change my life,” Bede said, leaning jauntily against the shopkeeper's window. “These flowers, a delightful party, my sparkling personality -- there’s no way the Champion will not be dazzled! I thank you, as you’ve helped me on my way to greatness! Keep an eye out for me on TV tonight!”

Bede flounced away. The florist bemusedly watched him go, scratching his head. 

“Go get ‘em, kid,” he said quietly towards Bede’s retreating back.

✨✨✨✨

Hop adjusted his cuffs and looked at himself in the shop’s dressing room mirror. The alterations on his suit had come through that morning, which was just in time -- the Champion’s Inaugural Ball was happening in Wyndon tonight!

He had to admit he liked what he saw. The dark suit was cut perfectly for his tall, lean frame, and, in his opinion, made him look more mature than his 15 years. He had on a red tie and coordinating pocket square that Sonia helped him select, and his shoes were shiny. 

The getup was a little warm, and he pulled at his collar. But this look would have to do. His brother Leon was being put out to pasture after ten years as Champion, and his best friend was being inducted in his brother’s place. 

The phrase “always the bridesmaid…” briefly crossed Hop’s mind as he turned to the side to examine the suit in profile. He rolled his eyes and sighed.

Tonight was about Gloria, he told himself. Brave, hardworking, funny, talented Gloria. Adorable Gloria. He stopped posing and put his head in his hand, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and middle finger, then slid his hand down his face and glared at himself in the mirror. Stop it, he thought. You’re making things harder on yourself than they have to be.

This night was going to be one to remember, and Hop didn’t want those memories to be of envy or regret. Least of all did he want to feel any animosity toward two people he loved the most. Flying in the face of his childhood dreams, he wasn’t being inducted as Champion. And despite recently discovered feelings -- most of which he didn’t yet understand -- he wasn’t attending the ball as Gloria’s date. 

Hop closed his eyes and breathed one deep, slow breath. Then, he changed back out of the suit and left the Wedgehurst clothing shop.

Bicycling back to his house in Postwick, new suit slung over the handlebars, Hop looked out into a nearby field of grazing Wooloo. Their cute little chins wagged as they chewed grass and gave the occasional bleat. He smiled at them.

I don’t need to be Champion to be happy, he thought, pedaling faster. No matter what, tonight is going to be amazing.

✨✨✨✨

Marnie carefully packed her ball gown, evening purse and high-heeled, spiked boots in a bag to take to Postwick. She and Piers were to have dinner with Hop’s family and take some photos in their garden before she and Hop took off in a flying taxi together to Wyndon. 

Alongside her evening outfit, Marnie packed her toothbrush, pajamas and her little stuffed Morpeko doll. Then, she took the doll out. It would be only about a day until she was back in Spikemuth; what did she need Cheeks for? It would be embarrassing if Hop saw she still carried a stuffed animal when she traveled. 

But what do I care what Hop thinks? Marnie thought.

She didn’t really know yet what she thought about Hop -- in a broader sense, anyway. Sure, he was nice. He really loved his Pokemon, and he seemed like he knew how to be a good friend. She and Hop had seen each other semi-frequently for many years as Leon and Piers had battled in the same competitive spheres when they were younger. She liked him.

But recently, she’d felt a little weird when she thought about Hop. Ever since he’d asked her to be his date to the ball, that is. Does he feel some type of way about me? The thought made her feel self-conscious.

“All aboard! All passengers headed for Postwick, we’re departing…” called her brother, Piers, from near the front door of their apartment in a slightly sing-song voice. 

Marnie looked back down at Cheeks and set him firmly back on her bed. No one, Piers included, needed any more excuses to treat her like a little girl. She was the Spikemuth Gym Leader now, and one of Galar’s most accomplished trainers. And yet, she had only received a VIP invitation to the Champion’s Ball -- like every gym leader should -- after her older brother had to tell the office there had been an error. He wasn’t the gym leader anymore, and hadn’t been for weeks! His little sister was taking over the family business, he’d told the lady on the phone.

Nope, Marnie thought. Tonight, she was not a little girl, and not just Piers’ little sister. She was an honored ball guest in her own right. And if the outfit in her bag could do what it was intended to do, Marnie didn’t intend to just look sweet. Nope, not tonight. Tonight, she was going to knock ‘em dead.

✨✨✨✨

Galar Champion Gloria followed somewhat meekly behind a brisk and purposeful Oleana as they paced through Wyndon. The former assistant to the chairman was still a bigwig around the city and consequently played an indispensable role in setting up the Champion’s Ball each year. This year’s blow-out event would be extra special because there was a new Champion. Months of planning were coalescing into an unforgettable event right before their eyes. 

A voluptuous, decadent dress awaited Gloria back at the Rose of the Rondelands hotel, the ball venue. It was still hours until it would be time to change into it, and in that time she and Oleana were to complete a laundry list of last-minute tasks. 

The pair greeted foreign dignitaries who had just arrived in Galar to attend the event. Oleana navigated Gloria through the maze of workers setting up in the ballroom so the Champion could get up on the stage and learn where she was supposed to stand. Gloria and her Pokemon team posed for photos and did press interviews. 

A couple of hours before the ball was due to start, Gloria was finally allowed to go up to her hotel room and get ready. Trudging up to the elevator and languidly calling it, Gloria realized she was exhausted already -- how in the world was she supposed to dance and give speeches all night?

The first thing she did upon entering her hotel room -- generously paid for by the Pokemon League and filled to the brim with flowers and cards and little gifts from admirers -- was to draw a hot bath. 

Sinking into the water, Gloria gazed at her ball gown, hanging against the bathroom door. It was a deep red, with a full skirt and ribbon at the waist. Her shoes were black with low heels and an ankle strap -- all the better for not tripping down the stairs and causing a national incident. She sunk lower in the bath, closing her eyes. If I get through this without embarrassing myself… never mind. There is no possible way!

She dunked her head under water, then came back up. Gloria reached for a towel to dry off her hands, then picked up her phone to send her best friend Hop a quick message. A message was already there. Hop had sent a photo of himself and Marnie in joking poses, Hop’s mum and his brother Leon in the background. Moira was clearly fawning over Leon, and it looked like he was resisting her efforts to tame his hair while Hop and Marnie made fun of him.

Gloria sighed, thinking of them all having a good time back in Postwick without her. She would see her friends in just a little while, but it seemed like she was still missing out on something important. Immediately, Gloria felt guilty -- she was in a hotel room she didn’t have to pay for, surrounded by gifts from fans and the trappings of luxury. This bath soap, even -- it wasn’t the typical hotel stuff, but clearly something fancy purchased for her. Its beautifully illustrated wrapper said it was scented with lily-of-the-valley and gardenia. Couldn’t she just be happy?

Hop would be happy, she thought. He never lets anything get him down for long. If he were in my place, he would be great at being Champion. He’d get up on that stage and make everyone love him. Me, well -- I’m convinced I’ll be terrible at it, which probably means it’ll end up being true! 

It was miserable, lying there in the steadily cooling water, panicking. She reached for her fluffy towel, and for a moment, balanced the folded towel on the edge of the tub and rested her head on it like a pillow. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing herself to completely relax.

One minute became five, then ten. Then, a knock on the door -- it was time.

✨✨✨✨

The Gloria reflected in the elevator’s mirrored wall looked nothing like the girl she was a few hours ago.

After her bath, some of Galar’s most prominent stylists had attended to her appearance. Her hair was now styled in a fancy flower shape on the side of her head, and the beauticians had applied a full face of makeup that hid her little bit of acne and any trace of her tiredness. She had her red dress on, and wore her champion’s cape over top. It was so long that it trailed behind her, even when she was wearing heels. 

The glam team had finished with her just before she was due to meet Bede in the lobby. One of Oleana’s staffers came with her, which struck Gloria as a tad annoying. Oleana had explained that they simply wanted to keep track of the Champion and ensure that she would not disappear or be late.

Almost no one was still in the lobby this close to the start time of the event: the exceptions were one old woman who sat with her back to Gloria, and a man with a Toxtricity at the registration desk.

Bede sprang up from the plush chair he had been waiting in and sauntered over. He wore a pink suit accented with turquoise, and his floofy hair was flatter than normal and tied back. The effect was actually quite striking -- his ice-blonde hair worn back like that made him look like a member of the 17th-century gentry. He carried an enormous flower bouquet. After displaying a brief look of shock and fear when she first appeared, he now seemed to have successfully arranged his face into a… smirk? A smoulder? Gloria didn’t quite know what he was going for. 

“Ah, Champion,” Bede said. “You look... extraordinary. These -- these are for you. Consider them an expression of -- um -- of my admiration for you.” 

“Thanks,” she said, accepting the giant bouquet. It was so large she had to tilt it to the side a bit to keep it from blocking her vision.

“I can take those to your room for you, Champion,” her minder said. “But first we must all walk to the ballroom entranceway, where you will wait until you’re called to enter.”

Bede held out his elbow. Gloria linked hers with his and they headed down the hall.

Her nerves reached a crescendo as they approached the ballroom doors. The cacophony of the guests and music was very audible, even though the doors were closed for her entrance. Standing next to him, Gloria couldn’t help but notice how tall Bede was. Then, her thoughts flew to Hop and Marnie. They were right on the other side of these doors. Did they grow close during their family dinner and long Corviknight taxi ride from Postwick to Wyndon?

She didn’t have long to ponder it, luckily. From the other side of the door, she could hear the emcee begin his introduction. Whoever it was was doing a great job revving up the crowd, which whooped and clapped as he told them what was in store for the evening.

“Nervous?” Bede asked. Gloria realized she had been bobbing up and down slightly as she jiggled her knee in anticipation. She breathed deeply and looked at him. “Eh, nah, you?” 

“Normally, I get terrible stage fright,” Bede said quietly. “But I’m calm now. This just feels… right. You know?”

“Right,” said Gloria, looking forward again. “Well, if I faint dead away, then you get to be Champion, ‘k?”

“If you faint, I will catch you,” said Bede quietly.

“Oh, well, thanks,” said Gloria. “And, uh, likewise.”

Bede chuckled. But Gloria didn’t hear, as the music inside the ballroom had just gotten a lot louder, the tempo quickening. The emcee hollered over it: “Please welcome our brand new Pokemon Champion of the Galar Region, Gloriaaaaaaaaaa!” 

The doors opened, yanked forward by two attendees standing inside the high-ceilinged room. Lights and sound blasted Gloria and Bede from all sides as they stepped forward, and the crowd cleared to the sides to form a pathway for them to reach the stage. Pop music played and confetti rained from the ceiling. Gloria didn’t quite know which way to look, for all was lights and sparkles and color. She held Bede’s elbow as they made the long walk across the room. She felt like a princess when they reached the stage, having to hold the edge of her dress in one hand as she ascended the steps toward the emcee, who turned out to be Gym Leader Raihan. Leon, looking very odd in a large gold crown, was there too, and Oleana stood nearby. As the guest of honor, Gloria was the last to appear onstage.

“WELCOME!” Raihan boomed into the mic, and the crowd quieted a bit. “Welcome, Gloria, and I see you’ve found yourself some good company! Let’s give it up for Gym Leader Bede!”

The crowd politely whooped and clapped. Bede gave a big smile, bigger than Gloria had ever seen on him.

As Raihan spoke the introductions, Gloria gazed out at the crowd, looking for a familiar face. Only the front row was visible under the bright lights of the stage, and she scanned the faces of the well-dressed people. She recognized one of her favorite Galarian singers standing near the mayor of Wyndon, as well as a handful of visitors from Alola she had greeted earlier in the day. But there was no sign of Victor, her parents, Marnie... or Hop. 

Her stomach clenched.

✨✨✨✨

Hop shuffled through the crowded ballroom trying to improve his view of Gloria onstage. He was tall among his peers, but still had a ways until he reached his full height, which his parents estimated would be more than six feet. For now, all five feet eight inches of him needed a window between people’s heads to see the action. Marnie, who was significantly shorter than Hop despite the fiercely heeled boots she wore, followed Hop through the crowd, craning her neck to try to see.

“... Not only distinguished in the sporting arena, but also in the realm of public service,” Raihan was saying. “Gloria showed us all her true mettle when she bravely helped contain the Eternatus threat. You could have easily walked away, but instead you took it upon yourself to use your skills for the good of us all. Now that’s what I call Champion behavior!”

The crowd clapped enthusiastically. Hop managed to see, between heads, Gloria looking embarrassed as she accepted the microphone from Raihan.

“Thank you, Gym Leader Raihan, and thank all of you who are here tonight,” Gloria said, her voice sounding shaky. “But, as I am sure you all know, I cannot take credit for these achievements on my own. My success is in large part thanks to the dedication and skill of some pretty special Pokemon -- everyone, please give a warm welcome to my team!”

Six Pokemon burst forth from their balls, which had been placed on low platforms evenly spaced across the stage. Gloria’s Cinderace joined her next to Raihan, followed by Drednaw, Bolthund, Glaceon, Dragapult and Corviknight. Gloria’s Pokemon weren’t flashy, but they were effective.

Hop waited, wondering if she was going to give him a shoutout for being there during the Eternatus incident. But, looking awkward, she simply handed the mic back to Raihan. 

“Now, I know you all are eager to get to the dance floor,” Raihan said. “Especially you, Leon, though it’s beyond me why you’d want all these people to see that strange shuffling you call dancing.” 

Leon playfully threw a pretend punch at his friend. “Alright, alright,” Raihan said, “Before things get violent up here, we have one more thing to do: the formal induction of the new Galar League Champion, symbolized by the transfer of the Champion’s Crown.”

Hop stood on his toes, watching closely. This was the moment. 

I can’t see anything from here, Hop thought, edging forward and squeezing between two portly men with top hats. 

“Let’s get closer!” he said, turning to Marnie. But she wasn’t with him -- somehow, the crowd had separated them. Or, perhaps she had wandered off? Hop shrugged and struggled forward, still craning his neck to try to see what was happening onstage.

The music changed, and Gloria and Leon moved as if they had been trained in choreography. They walked side by side to the very front of the stage, then turned to face one another. Leon bowed to Gloria, and she curtsied to him, and then the two shook hands. 

“Ugh, pardon me,” said Hop, elbowing further into the crowd. “‘Scuse me, sorry,” he said, accidentally bumping a severe-looking woman wearing a ton of sparkly jewelry. He scurried away quickly.

Oleana approached the front of the stage, standing between the old champion and the new. “Champion Leon,” she said. “Your time as Champion of the Galar League has come to a close. Your ten years of service to Galar and to this noble sport will not be forgotten. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say you have exemplified the qualities of this elite distinction.”

Hop slipped closer to the stage. He was only a few feet away from Gloria’s Bolthund, which pranced in place on its platform, tail wagging.

“Thank you for your service, and best of luck to you on whatever path your life’s journey takes you next,” Oleana continued, addressing Leon. “Your name will forever live in the hallowed halls of the Galar League’s finest.”

Leon bowed his head, allowing Oleana to remove his crown.

“Champion Gloria,” Oleana said. “You have embarked on a journey many dream of, but very few achieve. Your presence on this stage today is evidence of your skill in the arena and your strength of character. You represent the best that Galar has to offer. May you wear this crown with pride.”

Gloria bowed her head, and Oleana placed the crown upon it.

“Citizens of the Galar Region and of the world, may I present to you: Your new Galar Pokemon Champion, Gloria!” Oleana called. Leon and Gloria clasped hands and turned to face the clapping, whooping audience. Leon foisted Gloria’s hand into the air in triumph, pumping his other fist, then stepped back to applaud Gloria with the rest of the room. 

As she stepped forward onto the thrust of the stage, Gloria squinted out into the crowd, looking proud and embarrassed as she curtsied left and right. 

Hop jumped up and down, whooping and clapping. 

“Gloria!” Hop called, waving his arms. “Gloria!”

He tried to catch Gloria’s eye -- he was so close now, there was only one row of people in front of him.

Gloria’s face tensed as she accepted the microphone again. The crowd began to quiet.

Apologizing as he scooted a tall man to the side, Hop stepped into the front row.

“Gloriaaaa!!” Hop called, raising his voice and waving his arms more fiercely.

Suddenly, her brown eyes found his yellow ones. Her face broke into a big grin, and from under the cape she gave a little wave. 

Then, lifting the microphone to her mouth, Gloria began her victory speech. Her eyes darted back to Hop every now and then, and each time he gave an encouraging smile. Gloria seemed to gain confidence as she talked about her small-town life in Postwick and how strange it felt to be spending so much time in Wyndon now. She charmed the crowd with her humility, putting focus on her Pokemon’s abilities instead of her own. 

Gloria really is a great public speaker, Hop thought as the crowd chuckled in response to a wry comment she made about the comical length of the Champion’s cape. If she prepared this in advance, I don’t think anyone here is the wiser.

“So, in conclusion, I couldn’t be happier that I am standing before you today as the new Champion,” Gloria said grandiosely, pacing across the stage, all traces of fear gone. “I promise to work hard, battle hard, and do our great region proud!” She pumped her fist in the air.

The crowd exploded into cheers.

“Thank you to everyone who helped me get here!” Gloria yelled over the screaming fans. “Mum, Dad! My brother Victor -- couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you Leon for your mentorship! And last but not least, a big shoutout to my best--”

But Gloria’s voice cut off mid-sentence. In her now-vigorous pacing of the stage, she had managed to tread on the edge of her Champion’s cape -- the very one she had made light of only a few moments before -- and had thrown her arm out to try to steady herself. 

Hop watched Gloria stumble as if in slow motion. Her cape had gotten yanked around her neck with the force of her step, so that the cloth was mostly in front of her. Her heeled shoe was caught, leaving her off balance. 

She teetered for a split second. Then, arms whirling, the newly crowned Champion fell sideways off the stage and into the crowd.

✨✨✨✨

✨✨✨✨ 

✨✨✨✨

That’s it for now.

Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it. There’s more to come and most of it is written -- I was going to drop it all at once, but there’s more to write, and I liked this placement of the cliffhanger. --E

[stars-hearts-gems]

I’ve max out my switch’s photo capacity so I have to start deleting pics. But of course I couldn’t just delete them so enjoy this hpyu collage. 

[stars-hearts-gems]

escape

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If this isn’t Postwick, I don’t know what is

Day 21 of quarantine 

[stars-hearts-gems]

👀 ❤️

[stars-hearts-gems]

🌴🌺🌴🌺🌴🌺🌴

Today is the day! Gloria thought. I’m off to the Isle of Armor!

Everything is so great... I just wish Hop could come.

Hop comes by the Wedgehurst train station to see her off. Gloria promises to bring him back some amazing Pokémon he’s never seen before.

“I heard they have a Pokémon that’s basically Snom but with fire?” Hop asked.

“Larvesta!” Gloria says. “I can catch one for you, if you’d like.”

“You’re the best, Glor,” Hop says. Then, he suddenly seems shy. “You’ll call me? While you’re gone? I want to hear about all your adventures... and, you know, I just worry about ya.”

Ugh, Gloria thought as they hugged goodbye, I’m going to miss him.

[stars-hearts-gems]

Gloria runs to hug Hop.

He stretches out his arms, looking a little surprised.

When she gets to him, she slides her arms to the inside of his fuzzy jacket and puts her head against his shoulder. He notices this.

He hugs her back, hard, tilting his head slightly so it touches the top of hers.

[stars-hearts-gems]

Sword/Shield original story 2

(Postwickshipping; hpyu; fanfiction; my writing)

🌿✨💕🍄✨☀️ 

Champion Gloria & trainer Hop are continuing their efforts to create a full Galar living dex for Sonia when Gloria gets a call from former champion Leon: was she aware of the upcoming Champion’s Inaugural Ball? Who is she taking?

As if helping to complete the extensive Pokédex project wasn’t enough, Gloria now has group drama and ball politics to complicate her life — even though all she really wants to do is raise her Pokémon and explore the Wild Area with her crush, Hop.....

Three days into their quest of building a Galar living dex for Sonia, Hop and Gloria have made significant progress. But hundreds of Pokémon are still on their list to catch, evolve, breed and trade.

After spending a few days and nights in the Wild Area, they stop at a cafe in Motostoke for a breakfast that for once wasn’t curry. At the Battle Cafe, they opted for pressed juice drinks and pastries and, sitting opposite each other at a window table, they sort through their Boxes of Pokémon.

It was a pleasant scene — about 9am and the cafe is sunlit and busy, but the two trainers, both 15 years old, seem to be on an island of their own in the middle of it all, swiping and typing on their Rotom phones as they sip brightly colored drinks.

“Okay, I’ve got all the boxes labelled — now it’s time to start sorting,” said Hop, setting his phone down and shaking out his hands (tired from typing). “It’s real nice of you to offer up your Pokémon for this project! We promise we’ll give them back ... or, at least, I’ll make sure Sonia does!” He smiled broadly across the table at his friend.

“Look, all I really care about is my team,” Gloria replied. “And as I said before, you’re not having any of my favorites! But otherwise you’ve got the run of the lot.” She swiped across the screen, then turned it so Hop could see. “Aye, look, here’s the Phantump I caught in Glimwood Tangle. Maybe we should put him somewhere special — a list of ones we have to evolve through trading?” Hop shook his head. “That won’t work, will it, mate? We will need both Phantump and Trevenant for the dex. We’ll have to see if someone will trade us one.”

They continued like this for almost an hour, swapping and sorting Pokémon and sipping their drinks until there wasn’t any left. Gloria was just about to suggest they leave and poke around the Motostoke shops for a bit before returning to the Wild Area when a phone call came in.

“Good morning, Champion Gloria!!” blared an enthusiastic voice through the phone. “Hope you’re having a real champion time out there in the Wild Area!”

“Ah, morning, Leon,” Gloria said, wincing just slightly at the loudness and raising her eyebrows at Hop just a bit. “What’s up?”

“I was just calling to ask if you had everything figured out for the Champion’s Ball! You know I’m always here to provide solid fashion advice for people looking to make a big impression. And, as former Champion, I could run you through just the basics on what to expect. Did you have any questions about Saturday?”

Gloria’s face was slack, her eyes wide and locked with Hop’s. Her stomach had done a somersault at about the time Leon said “big impression”— about the time her brain had caught up and understood what he was saying.

“I wasn’t told about any ball!” Gloria said. “Lee, what’s this about? Why wouldn’t they tell me if there was a ball??”

“Oh, crap,” Leon said. “Yeah, Glor, there is always a huge thing to celebrate the end of the year’s gym challenge season — but this year it’s extra special, since there’s a new champion! First Inagural Ball in ten years! Gonna be a huge party, so you’d better figure out what you’re wearing. And who you’re taking!” Leon laughed. “Glad I got to you today — you’ve only got four days to get your act together!”

Hop was leaning forward, trying to listen in, so Gloria leaned toward the middle of the table, too, holding the phone out so they both could hear in the crowded cafe. “All-powerful Arceus above,” Gloria swore. “What do I have to do, Leon? Please don’t say I have to give a speech.”

“Nah, the speech is totally optional,” Leon said casually, making Gloria go a little paler. “You do have to lead off the dancing, though! It’s tradition. So make sure you’ve got a date. Man, I remember when it was my first Champion’s Ball... one of the most memorable nights of my life! Absolutely an amazing time, Glor, you’ll love it.”

Gloria opened her mouth a bit, then closed it again with a small huff, looking worried. “Well, alrighty then,” she said. “Guess I’ve got some weekend plans.” “Who all is invited to this thing?” Hop interjected, and Leon enthusiastically greeted him. “Little bro, didn’t know you were there too! Well, that should make it easy, you can be each other’s dates! That works out nicely, doesn’t it? All the finalists are invited, Hop, so you’d be going anyway.”

Hop spluttered, going slightly pink in the cheeks. “Lee — wait a sec — you can’t just —!” Gloria also fumbled. “Leon!” she exclaimed. “We aren’t — no, wait, this is nuts —“

Leon chucked at both of their protests. “Well, you have until Saturday to decide,” he said with the gregarious air of a game show host dealing out a challenge. “Hop, call me when you’re at the store and we can discuss fashion options. I know you’ll need it. That offer is still open to you too, Champion! Personally, I’m going all out for my last ball! Gotta remember, I’m leaving a legacy! Anyway, talk to you later, trainers!!”

Leon hung up the call. Gloria furrowed her brow, looking stunned. Hop scratched his head and flung himself back in his chair. “Damn, Lee is over the moon about this,” he said. “Seems like it’s going to be a really big deal. Guess I’m grateful for at least some heads up, though! Imagine hearing about this at the weekend!” Gloria agreed, still looking shell-shocked, then raised an eyebrow. “First big public appearance as Champion, though,” she said, smiling. “Should be class, yeah? Guess we should go get those outfits sorted.”

Heading out of the cafe, Hop and Gloria briefly separated at the shops, as each preferred different stores for their first foray into formalwear. On the quick walk over, though, both skated over the awkwardness of Leon’s date suggestion. Maybe to Leon it seemed like no big deal to just throw that sort of thing out there, but Gloria and Hop both privately felt they’d rather get run over by a Corviknight taxi than be the one to initiate that conversation here and now.

As he turned toward the men’s formal shop, Hop’s mind raced. The look on Gloria’s face when Leon suggested they go to the ball together... it wasn’t promising. She’d even said the suggestion was “nuts.” More than anything, he would love if Leon’s inadvertently perfect matchup came true — the hopeful little balloon that had inflated (and rapidly deflated) in his chest at the mention of it was painful. No, Hop thought. That said it all. She wouldn’t want to go dance with me in front of a million people. Not after she showed the world how much stronger than me she is at battling. He imagined Gloria up on stage, her hand being foisted triumphantly into the air by Leon, a crowd of Galar’s most prominent citizens cheering, screaming her name. But, then he, Hop, would appear and take her hand. They’d do a stately walk to the dance floor under dramatic lighting, and she’d throw off her Champion’s cape in a dramatic unveiling of a fabulous outfit as he struck a pose, and they’d dance into the distance, the crowd roaring...

Hop shook his head, bringing the racks of colored suits he was browsing back into focus. It worried him, just a bit, how much the fantasy appealed to him. Was he fantasizing about going to the ball with Gloria because he was still just chasing his old dream of becoming Champion? I don’t want fame anymore, Hop told himself firmly as he moved over to a display of neckties. He was happy with his choice to pursue Pokémon research. There was still something attractive about the role of Galar champion, but it now seemed to have more to do with the Champion herself. Then, Hop realized: if he wanted to go to the ball with the Champion — with Gloria — he shouldn’t hesitate, as someone else was bound to beat him to it! And an implied, forced invite by Leon just wasn’t going to cut it.

It was at that moment that he spotted a familiar person in a pink coat standing haughtily near the shop entrance. Hop briefly considered ducking behind the nearest rack of clothes to keep Bede from seeing him, but realized that was childish. Instead, he walked over to greet the new Fairy Type gym leader.

“Oh, hello,” Bede said. “It is Hop, isn’t it? My apologies. I must have seen you battle a hundred times, yet I never manage to remember your name.”

Hop’s mouth tightened slightly at Bede’s dig. He wasn’t even sure if Bede meant to be insulting — he knew the Fairy Type gym leader was just in the habit of being haughty. “Congrats on the new position in Ballonlea,” he said. “If I’m ever up that way, you can bet I will stop in for a battle. In fact, my team has gotten so strong, I’m almost positive you’ll be able to fit it into your schedule.” (Hop wasn’t proud, but he was happy, to see Bede’s cheeks color in annoyance. He really had just intended to come over and say hello, not to start a trash-talking match.) “Oh, don’t be so uncharitable to yourself,” Bede replied, his eyes glittering maliciously, as he leaned against a shop display. “You’d last at least a few minutes against me. But I wonder what the record fastest time is for a match of six Pokémon? You might be in the running!”

Hop frowned. He held up the bow ties he was going between (a forest green and a fuschia) and shook them slightly. “Well, not that this hasn’t been a fun catch-up session, Bede, but I’m going to keep shopping. Got a very important event to prepare for.” “Oh, the Champion’s Inaugural Ball! I got my outfit weeks ago,” Bede said. “I’m just in town to get a few final touches in order — hair appointment, corsage, the precisely right cologne that will make the Champion realize she’s been in love with me since the beginning... Don’t tell me you didn’t know?” Bede said, seeing Hop’s face fall into a look of even greater confusion and annoyance. ”The Champion and I have always had great chemistry. It would be a crime to ignore it, to not see where something so promising could go.” “Weird that you say that, when I’m the one going to the ball with Gloria!” Hop replied. “So, actually, Bede, seems like you won’t get to find out after all. It’s too bad.”

“You are? Well, either the Champion decided to two-time us when she accepted my invitation just minutes ago, or you’re lying,” Bede said, genuine surprise on his face. “Not a good look for you. Anyway, I’m going to keep moving. Lots to do. I suppose I’ll see you on the dance floor, Hop — or, not.”

Seething, Hop let Bede pass by him. He felt somewhat panicked — had Bede been honest? Leaving his items in a pile on the store display, Hop headed out the glass front doors and toward the direction he’d last seen Gloria. He found her seated on a bench eating an ice cream she’d bought from a cart. She carried a small shopping bag.

“Did you see Bede?” Hop asked abruptly as he approached. “Yeah, just I saw him,” Gloria replied breathlessly. “Not only did I see him, but I think I agreed to be his date to the ball.”

Hop closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. Gloria seemed to be oddly exhilerated — or was that anxiety that made her voice shake? “Met him in the shop,” he said. “He’s an asshole, as always. Why’d you agree to go with him?”

Gloria could see Hop was frustrated. She, too, felt some frustration. Bede had just appeared out of nowhere and, with his usual theatrics, had asked her to the ball. She’d been surprised, nervous, and even a little flattered — the ‘yes’ had come to her lips automatically, and it had seemed churlish to try to take it back. Bede had strongly suggested she dress in pink or turquoise to complement his ensemble, then left.

“Well, I’m happy for you, mate,” Hop said, though he knew it wasn’t a very convincing attempt at cheerfulness. “Great work. You’ve got a date. Good, good. Excellent. Oh, and don’t forget — you’re Champion! So he is your date, not the other way around!”

They waited in silence for an awkward moment, Gloria on the bench and Hop standing with his arms folded, looking at his feet. Then, Gloria scooted over so Hop could sit down.

“Did you... want to go to the ball with me?” she asked, her green eyes meeting his briefly.

It was such a simple question, but it put Hop at a loss. He brain felt empty of all possible responses, yet simultaneously full of buzzing. What would she think if he told her yes? Would she tell Bede she was sorry and go with Hop instead? Or would she say she felt sorry for Hop, but stick with Bede? He didn’t think he could stomach her pity. Not again. Not like this.

“Oh, uh, no, nothing like that,” he said. “I mean, maybe. You’re my best mate, right? We could have gone as... mates...” Hop trailed off, then looked over his friend. Her face was tense and the edges of her eyes were pink. “Glor, you alright?” Gloria looked like she was going to cry. Hop opened his mouth in horror. If she started crying, he was going to start crying, and what an embarrassing scene that would be.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, looking quickly away and sniffing. When she turned back her eyes looked less red, but the smile she wore was more of a grimace. Hop felt like the bottom of his stomach was gone. “Just got the sun in my eyes,” she said. “It’s fine. Yeah, no, we’re mates. Would’ve been so weird to go to the ball with you. Plus, you’re a good dancer and I’m rubbish. So, yeah, I’m going with Bede.”

“Great,” Hop said. “Yeah, great. And I was thinking I’d ask Marnie. She’s always been nice.”

“Great,” Gloria echoed. “Well, I’m not quite done shopping yet, sorry. Got distracted by Bede and came out here to kind of cool down. Still need to get a dress. There’s a really nice red one I liked... although Bede will be wearing his usual colors...” “Yeah, I need a bit more time, too,” Hop said. They agreed to meet back up in an hour to head out to the Wild Area again, and headed their separate ways.

Hop got out his Rotom phone and sent Marnie a text. “Have you heard about this Champion’s Ball? Only just found out myself,” he wrote. “Don’t suppose you’re in need of a date?” He sent the text, sighing. He liked Marnie, he really did. She was cute and had always been nice to him during the gym challenge. When they had been really young, they’d played together whenever Piers and Leon got together to practice battling. That was before Gloria’s family had moved to town. It had been nice seeing her again. But in a short period of time, he’d gotten his heart set on going with Gloria. It just wasn’t going to be the same.

Back in the store, Hop focused on psyching himself back up and getting excited for the events ahead. He and Gloria were going to catch some rare Pokémon and then he was going to dance the night away at a swanky party. It wasn’t like Hop to stay down for long. He got his phone out again, thinking of calling Leon for fashion advice, and saw Marnie had replied. “If this is you asking, then yes, I’d love to go with you, haha. What rock have you been living under to only just have found out, though?” Hop smiled and sent a reply. “Wicked cool. And idk ... my usual one?”

Hop then made to call Leon, but changed direction almost immediately. Unlike Leon, Sonia doesn’t dress like a circus ringmaster on the daily, he thought, listening to the phone ring. She’ll know the right thing to do.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

To be continued! New installment in maybe a week?!?

Send me all your ideas, requests, inspiration..... and also, I promise I’ll do more short imagines! I’ve just been having fun with this. Helps pass the time in quarantine :) — E

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[stars-hearts-gems]

More Postwick vibes 🌿

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Sword/Shield original story 1

(Postwick/HPYU camping)

🌷🌿☀️🍄✨

Champion Gloria and championship semi finalist Hop, both highly accomplished Pokémon trainers, return to Postwick after stopping Eternatus and sending Swordbert and Shieldbert packing.

Both are famous now in their little town due to their epic, televised matches. But they’ve got no time to stay: their next adventure is compiling a complete, living Galar Pokédex for Sonia .....

Sonia is still researching the Dynamax phenomenon and wants Hop to create a living Pokédex so they can learn more about which Pokémon Dynamax vs Gigantamax, and compare their characteristics to Pokémon like Zacian and Zamazenta who can’t (or won’t) do either.

Hop did clarify with Sonia before leaving: “You don’t want me to catch all these Pokémon so you can do experiments on them, right??” Sonia looked aghast. “Never! Consider it more of an interview. I just want to make sure I know all of the kinds.”

Sonia even tried to make Hop catch the whole Dex in Friend Balls, just to make sure the Pokémon were comfortable and each felt individually loved and valued... Due to expense and difficulty, they dropped this plan.

Hop was outside the research lab preparing his gear when he spotted Gloria leaving the berry shop with a bag full of cooking supplies. Hop admired his friend for always remembering her reusable canvas shopping bag. She’s accompanied by her Arcanine out of his pokeball.

“Hey, Glor! I’m about to be off, wouldja take pity on a man hard at work and chuck me a berry? I’ll need a snack for the road!”

“Come off it, these are for my camping trip!” she says. “I thought I’d take my team and just spend some time in the wilderness to decompress from all this attention. It’s been so long since it’s just been the seven of us!” Gloria looks up at Arcanine happily and gives him a little scritch-scratch under the chin.

Hop realizes that this whole business would be a lot more fun with his friend along. And if the Champion was planning a camping trip anyway... why not in the Wild Area?

Gloria agrees! They pack up their Pokémon, their camping supplies and Gloria’s berries, and set off on the train to the Wild Area.

Gloria is struck by how similar this train ride is to the one they took at the start of it all — the day they set off to the Wild Area for the first time. It felt like it had been ages since they had really just hung out. What with the high-stakes competition and the wild adventures they’d shared, she wondered if anything had changed between them.

Gloria needn’t have worried. It was just like the old days! Hop bounded ahead with his customary energy and enthusiasm and ordered two train tickets. They sat opposite each other and scrolled on their phones, occasionally pausing to turn their screen and show the other something cute or funny they came across. Hop likes Pokémon training memes; Gloria was always appreciative of pictures of cute Pokemon.

Upon arriving at the Meetup Spot, the pair let their leading Pokémon out of their balls (arcanine for Gloria, Dubwool for Hop) to follow behind them and set off into the Wild Area. Hop already had about 150 Pokémon in his Boxes — that meant they had 250 Pokémon to find, catch, evolve or breed.

Upon realizing the sheer number of things they had to do, it made both of them deflate slightly. It was going to take weeks, if not months, of them both hard at work to get it done.

It briefly crossed Gloria’s mind that perhaps they’d get it done faster if they split up. But she didn’t raise this — she liked spending time with Hop. It gave her a warm feeling to be with him again. Even seemingly insurmountable tasks like this one just seemed more possible with him around. Plus, she had a feeling that doing the thing fast wasn’t Hop’s goal. She’d always known him to be a journey-before-destination kind of guy, anyway.

Deep in thought as they walked, Gloria’s eyes widened slightly. How did she feel toward Hop now? She looked over at him. The purple tones in his dark hair were particularly visible in the midday sunlight, and he wore a determined look on his face as he glanced back and forth between the grass around them and his Pokédex screen. He wore his jean jacket and track pants with a t-shirt underneath. The sporty look complemented his tall, thin build. Gloria had always liked the way he looked — she’d made fun of his fondness for that jacket before, with its furry collar and cuffs, but only because she knew it’d annoy him — but, now, there seemed to be something new. The feeling that surprised her most was that she wanted to reach out and touch him. Just gently, on his face or his neck.

What am I thinking? Gloria thought. She felt a little shaken, a little embarrassed. At large, she mostly felt weirded out. She’d had crushes before, of course, when she was at school. Puppy love for other boys and girls in her class. If this is a crush, though, it sure is inconvenient, she thought. I don’t want to make this awkward, and i don’t think he looks at me in any special way. He might even hate me for surpassing him in the Gym Challenge. I know how badly he wanted to prove himself.

But despite how much she knew he was disappointed, he had been a gracious loser and supportive friend through it all. Hop could have easily walked away angry. But he cheered her on to the end. That took real strength, she thought. And he invited me on this trip. He doesn’t hate me. Far from it.

As the two continued through the sun-dappled wild area, it felt like a balloon was inflating inside Gloria’s chest. She grinned in Hop’s direction, and he smiled back.

“I’m seeing several possibilities here,” he said, pointing straight ahead. “If the Pokédex is correct — and, I mean, I’ve never known it not to be — we can find Cherubi in these trees here. We should catch two, and help one evolve into Cherrim!”

“On it,” said Gloria, nodding gravely, but letting a smile slip through. She liked in-charge Hop.

Gloria confidently walked up to the nearest tree, which she could see sported several Occa berries and a couple tamato. She gave the tree a good shake as Hop waited to the side with Dubwool, Pokeball in hand. A few berries hit the ground around her. She gave it another rough shake, and more berries fell. A couple bonked off her head, and she cast a furtive look at Hop to see if he’d seen. He had on a mocking look — gentle, not mean — so she scrunched her nose and turned back to her tree.

One more good shake was enough to do it. A Cherubi came flying out of the branches like a fruit bat out of hell. The two young trainers pounced...

✨🌿✨🌿✨🌿✨

{later}

As evening set in, Hop and Gloria set up camp in the Wild Area just south of Motostoke. They didn’t plan to camp every night — they’d occasionally go home to Postwick, as this living dex project was bound to take a while and leave them in need of supplies. But this first night, both were eager to leave the bustle of the city behind a while longer and sleep under the stars.

All of the Pokémon were out of their balls now — in Gloria’s party, Arcanine, Glaceon, Drednaw, Bolthund, Rillaboom and the legendary Zacian — and Hop’s Corviknight, Snorlax, Dubwool, Inteleon, Pincurchin and legendary Zamazenta. Gloria worked to light a fire beneath their collapsible cooking pot while Hop rummaged in his rucksack and selected some packaged curry mix. “This stuff reminds me of camping with Leon when I was little,” he said, examining the box. “Before he did the gym challenge and became Champion, of course.”

With the fire lit, Hop poured in the mix and Gloria dropped in a handful of berries, including some of the ones they collected at the Cherubi tree that day. They had caught and stowed two Cherubis, as well as a Vespuquen, a Nuzleaf and a Ninjask. Their Pokémon were exhausted, and waited hungrily for dinner. The two trainers were tired, too.

Food plated up, Gloria and Hop relaxed against a fallen log and ate with enthusiasm. Hop had two helpings. They rinsed off the extras from their plastic plates in the nearby river and huddled near the fire, throwing the ball for Zacian and Zamazenta, joined by Arcanine and Bolthund. Nearby, Pincurchin buzzed happily, and Dubwool laid down next to Hop and fell asleep.

As the Pokémon began to tire of the ball game, Hop pulled out a notebook and a pen from the rucksack. “What’s that?” asked Gloria. “I’ve got to write down what we did today,” he replied tiredly. “All the places we went and the Pokémon we caught. Our supply level, our morale. For science.” He then summoned a surprisingly self-aware impression of his usual energy: “It’s the next page in my legend!” Hop said. “Literally.”

Gloria nodded approvingly and smiled as Hop, energy clearly spent, collapsed back against the log. “Good. The people will one day want to read all the details of how the great researcher Hop discovered the secrets to Dynamaxing. It’ll be the adventures of Professor Hop and...” Gloria feigned forgetfulness. “What’s her name. That other girl.” Hop laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. They’ll never forget you. You’re going to be in the hall of fame as the Champion of champions.” “I don’t know, Hop,” Gloria countered. “Just you wait, your star power might just overtake mine one of these days. You never know, you might just be the one to crack Galar’s greatest mysteries.”

Hop shook his head, then looked up at the star-strewn sky. Gloria looked up, too. “If I were to see a shooting star right now,” he said, “I’d wish that history would never forget either of us. Or Lee. I’d wish we would all be remembered for how much Pokémon mean to us and how much passion we have for what we all do. People of the future would do great things inspired by our examples. Wouldn’t that be great?”

“Yeah, it would,” she said. She wanted to say something else; something witty, maybe? Something sincere and poetic? Or ask about how he felt about the gym challenge results? Then she’d know for sure his thoughts on losing. Even so, Hop’s wish was a lovely one, she thought. He wanted fame for himself and his friends, but he wanted to use that fame to inspire greatness in others. That’s Hop for you, Gloria thought. She tried to think of something to say that had the proper gravitas. But, nothing came. Arcanine gave a big snort in his sleep and rolled over. “Ready for another page in the legend tomorrow?” Gloria finally asked.

“Yeah,” Hop sighed, dropping his pen onto the paper. “Going to input my daily log and then hit the sack. You?”

“Can’t wait,” Gloria said. “I’m going to turn in. All that food made me real sleepy.”

Lying in her sleeping bag a few minutes later, Gloria tried to fall asleep. Sleep wasn’t far off — she was truly exhausted — but she kept herself awake with anticipation. Hop was going to enter the tent and lie down beside her. It was a large space — and Dubwool would probably join them — but the thought of such close sleeping quarters was intriguing. She liked Hop a lot. She might even LIKE like him. If she was to judge by how the thought of sleeping close to him kept her brain buzzing, that certainly seemed to be true.

A soft hiss from the campsite indicated that Hop had thrown water on their fire. The water bucket clinked as he set it down outside the tent, and she heard his footsteps get near. A soft clip-clop of hooves and little snorts indicated Dubwool had indeed joined them. Hop unzipped the tent and climbed in, making some noise as he got situated. Gloria felt her body tense with anxious energy as she stayed still and pretended to sleep, feeling this was likely the best way to avoid awkwardness. Then, a soft, warm form: Bolthund had bounced into the tent after Hop. The dog Pokémon circled a couple times, then dropped next to Gloria to sleep. She decided she couldn’t pretend any longer (it was no longer plausible; the dog would have shaken anybody awake) and moved her arm to pet Bolthund.

“You awake, Glor?” came Hop’s voice from the dark. “Yeah,” she said back.

“I’m happy you agreed to come with me,” he said. “Adventures with you never fail to disappoint.”

“I’m happy to be here with you, too, Hop,” she said. “I really wouldn’t want to go on a crazy mission like this with anyone else.”

It was an honest statement, but Gloria wondered if she’d taken it a step too far. She waited for what felt like an eternity, but was really only a moment. Hop rolled over to look at her. He smiled. “I’m really glad you feel that way,” he said softly. Then, “goodnight, Glor.”

“Goodnight, Hop,” Gloria replied. And, smiling to herself and snuggling next to Bolthund, she closed her eyes. Her last thought before sleep crashed over her was that, perhaps, one of these days as their quest for a living dex carried on, maybe Hop would let her snuggle for the night next to him instead.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

To be continued!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Send me requests for more Postwickshipping content! Send me ideas for other characters, too! ~SEND ME ALL THE IDEAS~

— E

[stars-hearts-gems]

Into the tall grass! 🌿💕

(Postwick/hpyu/angst/cute/etc...)

Synopsis: Gloria is nursing a crush on her neighbor, friend and fellow Pokemon trainer Hop, and she’s thinking about telling him how she feels. But the pair run into a spot of trouble in the tall grass, and Hop gets injured. Sparks fly when Gloria nurses him back to health.

The heavy air smelled of petrichor as Gloria and Hop left the train station and ran toward Postwick. Thunder rolled as the storm distanced itself from the town dotted with puddles, which the pair dodged and jumped as they headed home, drenched to the skin after a fast and furious rain.

Gloria pushed her damp bangs out of her eyes as she worked her legs hard to keep up with Hop, whose height lent him an advantage on speed. She wore her pink shirtdress and boots for the day’s exploration of the Wild Area, and her bare legs were spattered with mud from dashing across the wet ground.

“Didn’t expect we’d have to leg it home today, or else I’d have worn something a little... better,” she grumbled, conscious of how her short skirt flapped in the wind. “Jeans, I mean.”

Hop looked over his shoulder at her and slowed, realizing how far behind she’d fallen.

“Does this mean I win? Seems like no contest!” crowed Hop.

“We weren’t even racing!” said Gloria, annoyed. “Not everything is a competition, Hop.” The two slowed to a stop near a patch of tall grass, where Gloria bent down to retie the flapping laces of her boots.

"Nearly home,” Hop said bracingly. “Do you want to come over my place tonight? I have that match of Lee’s recorded, we could watch it together!”

These words sent a tingle through Gloria’s body, as if she’d grabbed a bit of metal electrified in the storm. “Yeah, that sounds great,” she said, looking up at him from where she knelt.

“Cool! Mum’s making her veggie lasagna, I know you love that,” Hop replied casually. Gloria straightened up to look at him, a little hopeful he might say something more.

But Hop’s attention was suddenly diverted -- the grass next to them twitched.

“Aw, is that -- ?” Hop breathed. “No way, Gloria, hold on! I thought I saw a Hoothoot -- I’m still missing one of those.” And off he dashed into the grass. Thunder rumbled again as Gloria squinted at the place where Hop had disappeared, the grass flowing smoothly in the breeze.

“Only be a minute!” Hop’s disembodied voice called.

Gloria sighed, waiting. Sometimes Hop would say things that made her think he liked her -- like, he properly fancied her -- but then off he’d run, as if he had felt none of the surge of feelings she just had. Did he just say these things, things that indicated he enjoyed her company and paid attention to her preferences, and not think twice? How thick! Or, an even worse scenario -- was it possible he knew she liked him, yet he acted indifferent because he didn’t feel the same way? Gloria didn’t think she could bear hearing him tell her that painful truth, so she had tried to never let on to Hop that she liked him more than just as a friend. But she also sometimes felt like her heart would explode with longing for him to like her back. Maybe, tonight, she could try...

A sudden yell broke her out of her reverie. It was followed by an even louder cry from a wild Pokemon. A horrible sound, fierce and gutteral -- not at all like the sound of a Hoothoot. A startled flock of Rookidee took flight from the grass.

“Hop? Hop?” Gloria called, peering nervously at the tall grass, but seeing nothing. “Are you alright?” She dashed forward, feverishly pushing aside plant matter. The tall grass grew higher than her head in places, obscuring her way forward, but a flattened trail showed her where Hop had been.

Bursting out of the vegetation, Gloria found herself in a clearing of flattened grass. It had clearly made by something large that had thrashed about before it ran off. Hop leaned against a rocky outcropping to the side of the open area, clutching his arm.

“My God, Gloria, are you okay? It didn’t get you, too?” Hop asked.

“I’m fine! What happened to you?”

“Wild Mamoswine!” exhaled Hop, looking shaken, but excited. “Here! I can’t believe it...”

“What? That doesn’t make any sense! What would a Mamoswine be doing here?”

“No clue! I was about to catch that Hoothoot when it came charging in. It scared off the Hoothoot and next I know it, its coming for me! It was totally cheesed off, just running around the place like mad. I tried to get out of the way, but it got me with a tusk, see...”

He pulled his left hand aside to reveal a long graze from the tusk on his outer right forearm.

“Oh, no!” Gloria moved closer to examine it, carefully taking hold his elbow and moving aside the torn sleeve. Hop winced. “We’ve got to go take care of this,” she said. “No telling what kind of an infection you can get from a Mamoswine tusk. Who knows where they’ve been.”

Hop chuckled softly, shouldering his bag with his natural bravado, though Gloria noticed he was careful to avoid brushing his injury. “What, you don’t think it’d be wise to go after that angry thing?” he said. “You don’t think I could catch it?” Hop rolled his eyes in what was clearly meant to be exasperation, but he was smiling broadly. “Come on, Gloria, have you no faith in me?” Gloria smiled, albeit a little stiffly, at Hop’s lighthearted approach to danger.

“Nah, you know I’m not serious,” he said, noticing her pained expression. “Let’s get out of here. I would love to catch a Mamoswine, but I know when I’m outmatched.”

Gloria led the way out of the clearing and back through the tall grass, Hop following close behind. The two made their way up the road and over the bridge, heading for Hop’s house. The thunder had subsided now, and their clothes were well on their way to being dry. Evening had come, and a few rays from a setting sun had begun to stream through the cloud cover, giving the landscape a weird, ethereal glow.

Gloria glanced over at Hop as they walked, and he shot back a reassuring smile. The feelings she had been contemplating before Hop’s brush with danger had returned, it seemed, tenfold. The way the sun’s rays lit up Postwick like it was their own magic kingdom, the air full of the smell of rain and soil... it was so wonderful. Her throat tightened and her heartbeat quickened as she fought back an urge -- a wild, inappropriate, terrible, wonderful urge -- to reach for Hop’s hand.

“Hey, are you any good at first aid?” Hop asked as they approached his front door, again drawing Gloria’s attention away from her internal battle. “My mum is probably going to go bonkers if she sees this. No, never mind Mum, it’s my Gran who will never let me out of the house again if she knows what happened. Let’s go upstairs first and fix me up, then come down for dinner.”

Gloria agreed, and Hop whipped open the front door. “Hey Mum, it’s me! Gloria’s here too!” he called, running for the stairs and taking them two at a time, Gloria close behind. “We’re just going to wash up, be down for dinner soon!”  

They scampered upstairs, past Hop’s grandparents, who were reading in the living room, breathing in the delicious smell of lasagna cooking. Hop’s mom, Moira, had the oven light on and was in a crouch, frowning at the baking dish therein. “15 minutes!” she called back.

Upstairs, Gloria found stick-on bandages, hydrogen peroxide, and cotton balls in the medicine cabinet of the bathroom Hop shared with his brother, Galar Champion Leon. She had him take off his jacket (”Real shame about that sleeve,” Hop said. “I love this jacket.”) and they both sat on the edge of the tub.

Gingerly, she took his arm again and inspected the wound. It had bled pretty profusely on their walk home, and was a little deeper than she had originally estimated out on the route.

“I’m really sorry, but this is going to hurt,” she said, inverting the bottle of hydrogen peroxide over a cotton ball. Hop nodded, “Don’t worry about it, and thanks for helping me,” he said softly. As soon as the peroxide touched his arm, Hop gave a quick intake of breath. But he didn’t pull away. Gloria gently dabbed the disinfectant the length of the cut, and used another cotton ball dampened with water to wipe away the blood. Then, grabbing the box of bandages, she began applying them one by one, whispering “sorry!” each time she accidentally pulled one of his arm hairs, until the entire cut was covered.

Gloria had expected Hop to crack a joke or prattle on about the match of Leon’s they were planning to watch later on while this was happening, but he was quiet as she worked. With the last bandage pressed gently on, Gloria set the box aside and looked up. Their eyes met for a long moment. Hop smiled, suddenly looking awkward. “Thanks, mate, I owe you one,” he said, flexing his arm as if to prove it still functioned. But he didn’t move from the tub’s edge. Gloria found that she couldn’t say anything for a moment. Her heart was in her throat.

“Oh, it was nothing...” she croaked. Still so casual... He doesn’t feel the same way, she thought.

Hop’s eyebrows furrowed into a look of concern. He blinked a couple times. Then, he put his hand on her shoulder. “No, I’m serious,” he said. “Gloria...” Gloria’s heart pounded ever harder, and she breathed in sharply. Hop’s hand moved from her shoulder and paused on her elbow. Then, he moved his hand over hers, which she had resting on her knee. His face wore an uncharacteristically serious expression. Barely daring to breathe, Gloria grasped Hop’s hand. “Gloria, I’ve been wondering,” Hop said quietly, “if you might see me as... ha, I don’t know, this might be silly, but -- if you might see me as... more than just your friend? I mean, not, like, in a weird way, I just, you know, I really like you...and I thought ... well--”

He cut off as Gloria leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was chaste and quick, but not without passion. As she pulled back, Gloria’s brown eyes stayed locked on Hop’s gold ones, and both were grinning in a weird, sideways way. Neither seemed to know quite what to say, but were spared the need to make further conversation by Hop’s mum’s call: dinner was ready.

Gloria and Hop stood up, Gloria giggling a little to herself. A wide smile crossed Hop’s face as he bounded across the room and quickly rummaged in a drawer for another long-sleeve overshirt to hide his healing arm.

Each was still smiling as they headed downstairs to seat themselves at the table. As she dished herself up some lasagna, Gloria hoped none of the grandparents would ask what they were grinning about.

--

<3 oof, I love them! ❤️

Hope you enjoyed :)

XO, Esme

[stars-hearts-gems]

Postwick vibes 🌿

[stars-hearts-gems]

Pokémon SWSH fiction ~world building~

How the Pokémon Sword & Shield world works inside my head:

Pre-game: Definitely open to writing some stories that take place pre-game! At ages 10 and 12 respectively, Leon and Sonia were gym challenge rivals; Nessa (11), Milo (14), Gordie (14), Raihan (11) and Piers (10) were also part of their challenge cohort, but their rivalry was well known to be the most fierce. Hop and Marnie would be 4 and 2 years old respectively when Leon becomes champion. Bede, living in a foster program due to being an orphan, was 6.

In game: Hop is 14, Marnie is 12, and Gloria and Victor are both 13. Bede is 16, though we all know he rocks the grandma vibe. I always pictured Marnie a little younger — she more than makes up for it in maturity, though. Additionally: Leon is 20, Sonia is 22, Raihan is 21, Nessa is 21, Milo is 24, Gordie is 24, and Piers is 21. Kabu is in his 50s and Opal is exactly 83, she will gladly and truthfully tell you, before scolding you for not offering an elderly lady a seat and refreshment (there’s a mischievous glint in her eye when she does this, though the poor target usually doesn’t see it).

Post game: Personally, my favorite. Five years later. Hop is 19, Gloria and Victor are both 18. Marnie is 17 and kicking ass as usual. Bede is 21. Leon is 25, moving on to his “real” career. Sonia is 27, Raihan and Nessa are 26, Milo and Gordie are 29 (neither is particularly concerned about the big 3-0, but you can bet Raihan will be when his time comes). And sweet Piers is 26.

Maybe I’m missing something, but some questions I’ve had to find answers to include: If you can technically set out to become a trainer and join the gym challenge at age 10, what kept Hop from doing that, as keen as he is? Why did Leon act like he had never met Gloria/Victor before when he met them at the train station? Why was he so hesitant to endorse the kids for the gym challenge? Do these kids have school of some kind to go to?

My answers: I think Leon was a Pokémon prodigy who left to join the gym challenge the first chance he was able, cheered on by family and friends. If Leon joined the challenge at 10 and became champion at that age, that would only add to his notoriety. But I think it would be difficult for Leon and Hop’s mum to agree to send off her second son quite the same way, after seeing her first gain celebrity and then rarely come back home. Hop’s mum (who I call Moira) forbade Hop from joining the gym challenge until he was a little older, and made Leon promise not to give Hop an endorsement until they agreed he was old enough. And as far as Gloria/Victor are concerned, their mom, who I’ll call Emma, is a florist — she’s not steeped in the Pokémon training world, so naturally her kids aren’t going to be out the door at age 10. They recently moved to the area, which is why Leon had never met them before the day he gives Hop and the player their starter Pokémon.

I like this approach because of how Hop’s mom holding him back from the gym challenge for a few years speaks to a slightly better parental relationship than most fics grant him. I still fully subscribe to the narrative that Leon gets most of the attention and that Hop feels overshadowed and insignificant compared to his big brother — but his parents certainly love him and try to look out for his well-being. He might not always see it that way, though. However, in my mind’s eye, Hop ends up appreciating the delay and the extra time for traditional schooling it provides him when he pursues higher education on his way to becoming a Pokémon professor.

Now, importantly: SHIPS. Because that’s what you probably came here for, hmm?

I am personally a Hop x Gloria, Raihan x Nessa, and Leon x Sonia shipper so I will definitely be interested in writing those stories! Since I don’t have strong feelings on anyone else I’m down to write whatever people may request. (Rules in a separate post.) AND I’m also down to write any of my aforementioned ship characters in a different ship scenario! Just be warned that those are the ones I like the most so you’ll likely see them the most.

Ok that’s enough! If you’re in the market for any SWSH stories with this kind of setup, please do ask! Zero charge, and I’ll write until I feel like the requested scenario is done justice.

XO

Esme