#hopverse swap

[pinkhairandpokemon]

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Back at the academy, Blake leans against a wall in the schoolyard, watching Pokémon and trainers pass by. They tap at their arm anxiously, noticing the sun beginning to set. Every two minutes or so, they check their phone.]

[Finally, their phone buzzes, and they relax a little when they read the message pop up across their screen.]

[Auberi: My friend is here, they sent someone to pick you guys up. Wait outside Mesagoza. Oh and don’t freak out once your ride arrives]

[Blake raised a brow at that last part of the message.]

Blake: Not cryptic at all, Auberi…

[They put their phone back in their pocket, and look around for Hop.]

Blake: (He might still be hanging out with Nemona, he can’t be far…)

Blake: Hey, Hop? Auberi just texted me, you ready to go meet back up with them?

( @hoppingwooloo )

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Dart reaches the top of the stairs with the two humans on her back, before skidding to a halt. In front of her looms the grand Naranja Academy building.]

[Blake reaches forwards to pat the Cyclizar’s head, then slides off her back.]

Blake: We’re here! Thanks for carrying us, Dart. [They look up at the giant building with awe.] Somehow it seems even bigger than it was last time I was here…

( @hoppingwooloo )

[pinkhairandpokemon]

???? WHY??? DID HOP SHRINK???? HELP??

-Blake

( @hoppingwooloo )

[czv-hops-kalos-arc]

Thanks...

[Hop kinda awkwardly stands there and fidgits with his hands, before facing Leon]

Lee I just. Wanna say thank you, for being so nice and understanding.

[Hop rubs the back of his neck]

I-.. in my world, me and my brother aren't on the best of terms right now; so just being able to sit and talk with you was...really nice, actually.

S-so. Thank you

[@hoppingwooloo]

[Hop blearaly opens his eyes yet again. But now finds himself in his bedroom back in galar. More specifically in his old twin size bed.]

W-what...am. am i really back in galar...why is my old bed here???

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[@czv-hops-kalos-arc]

Ooc[okay so not rn unless you want to of course. But I would love to read even just a bit of the convo Hop has with Blake and Auberi about his adventure lmao]

(OOC: this looks fun so I’m gonna write it out b4 I go 2 bed :P enjoy!)

-

[The gang is chatting back in their hotel room or something]

Hop: And these people had superpowers! Shauna made this magic ball of clay appear in her hand, and Selene had this epic looking bow that shot nets- Oh! And apparently the me from that world has powers too! I hope they managed to get him back home…

Hop: Anyways! I think Zacian chose him in that universe and they told me he could pull a sword out of thin air?

Blake: What? [They pout as they slump back against their mattress.] No fair, why don’t I get a magic sword?

Hop: [He shrugs.] I don’t think the legendaries are able to grant us magic abilities in this universe… but who knows? You could always ask Zacian once we get back.

Blake: Imagine how badass that would be!

Auberi: Mm, I dunno, maybe it’s for the best. If you had a magic sword I think the first thing you’d do is run off to hit someone with it.

Blake: I’d hit you with it! [They roll around to smack Auberi with a pillow, earning a laugh from them.]

Hop: Oh, also, Blake didn’t exist in that world. It was weird. Apparently my best friend over there is this girl named “Gloria”?

Blake: Oh yeah, the Hop we met mentioned her too…

Auberi: Huh, so both of the other Hops know her?

Blake: Ooo, other you has a girlfriend!!!

Hop: Well, Elio did ask if I was married to her…

Blake: Can’t believe a Hop from a different dimension got a relationship before you did.

[Hop walks over to hit them with another pillow]

Blake: Ow!

Auberi: Was there another me?

Hop: No, but there was this guy who kind of reminded me of you… His name was Calem.

Auberi: What about him reminded you of me?

Hop: He was a grump.

Auberi: Ah.

[pinkhairandpokemon]

Epilogue, Part 2

———

[A thick silence hung in the air as the Blake and Auberi made their way down the cold mountain path, their little group one member short. Hop’s absence left a heavy, solemn atmosphere around the two trainers. Now with the alternate version of their friend back in his world, it was really starting to settle in that the Hop THEY knew and loved really was gone.]

[Blake fidgets with the fluffy collar of their jacket. Hop’s old jacket. What might be the only piece of him they have left until he returns. If he returns.]

[They glance towards Auberi. The brown-haired trainer seems deep in thought, their brows furrowed as they stare absentmindedly towards the ground.]

[A sharp breeze picks up, and Blake flinches a little, pulling their collar up to shield their face from the wind’s icy bite.]

Blake: …Would’ve been nice if Palkia gave us a ride back down, huh?

Auberi: Can’t Dart carry us both? It might be faster.

Blake: Eh, you know how dragons are with the cold…

Auberi: …What about a flying taxi?

Blake: [They’re quiet as they think on Auberi’s idea.] …Yeah, I think we can afford it.

[They reach into their jacket pocket for their phone, but pause just as they open the taxi service app. In the fading sunlight, the phone screen dimly illuminates their features with a white glow.]

Blake: …Do you… think he’s okay?

Auberi: [They take a second to respond. They want to say yes, but even they have their doubts, and can’t bear lying to their friend’s face right now.]

Auberi: I… don’t know. [Their shoulders slump slightly.] But… he’s strong. Wherever he ended up, I’m sure he can handle it.

Blake: [They scoff sadly.] But he didn’t even bring his team with him.

Auberi: Yeah…

[Auberi tries to think of something, anything, to lift the mood, but they can’t deny that they feel just as hopeless as Blake. They decide to stay silent for the rest of the walk. Neither of them could handle the false optimism right now.]

[They get about halfway down the mountain, when a strange whirring noise catches Blake’s ears. Auberi immediately takes notice to it as well, and both freeze in their tracks.]

Blake: Do you hear that…?

[Auberi nods, remaining dead silent as they try to pinpoint the source of the sound. However, they don’t have to, as the cause reveals itself a few feet before them.]

[Both stumble away in panic when the space ahead of them begins to crack, before opening up into a bright blue wormhole. Auberi’s first assumption is that Quartz came back for something, but quickly realizes this thing looks nothing like one of Dialga’s portals.]

Blake: [They scowl as they grab Kappa’s Pokeball without hesitation, raising their voice above the loud buzzing of the strange space on the other side of the wormhole.] Arc damn it, what now?!

[Auberi doesn’t hesitate to let Blanche out of her wooden Pokeball. The Zoroark jumps into the fray, taking a protective stance in front of the two humans.]

[In the blink of an eye, something comes bounding out of the wormhole. A huge, fluffy white beast emerges; floating in midair for a brief moment before gently placing its paw upon the ground.]

[Just as Auberi is about to issue out a command to their Zoroark, Blake grabs their shoulder and stops them when they notice something- or multiple someones- upon the strange creature’s back.]

Blake: Wait Auberi, look!

[The beast turns, fully revealing the two humans sitting atop its back. The one in the front yanks off his helmet, revealing a boy with hair as white as the beast’s fur, and a pair of glowing blue eyes.]

☀️: What the heck man, you didn’t tell me your world was so cold! [The disgruntled boy places his helmet in front of him, then wraps his arms around himself to keep warm.]

[The second rider pulls his helmet off, and Blake and Auberi’s jaws drop when they realize it’s none other than Hop. Their Hop. His purple hair is slightly disheveled, but besides that, he looks just like he did before his sudden disappearance.]

Hop: Uh, it’s not supposed to be- Why is there snow everywhere? Are you sure this is the right- [Hop turns, and freezes when he see who’s waiting for him up ahead.] …place…

[Blake’s hands cover their mouth as they stare at Hop, teary eyed. Auberi’s mouth still hangs agape, as if they can’t tell if what’s in front of them is real.]

[The boy sitting in front of Hop stares awkwardly, before he puts the pieces together and realizes who the two must be. A smile finds its way to his face as he turns to pat Hop on the back. He’s the first to break the silence.]

☀️: Whaddya know. Looks like you’re home, dude!

[Hop blinks a few times, the boy’s words pulling him back to reality. He was home. He exhales shakily as he carelessly slides down from the beast’s back, losing his footing and tumbling face-first into the snow. That doesn’t slow him for long, though; as soon enough he rushes back up onto his feet, bolting towards his friends.]

[Once it sinks in that it really is him, Blake and Auberi dash forwards as well, practically throwing themselves at him. The three painfully collide into each other, knocking Hop backwards into a snow bank. They don’t care, though- all the trio can think of now is that they’re back together.]

[Realizing that they’ll all probably freeze if they stay like this, Blake and Auberi get back up, each of them lifting Hop by the arm to help him back onto his feet as well.]

Blake: [Already, there’s tears streaming down the sides of their face.] Hop! It’s really you! You’re back!

Hop: [He nods excitedly, a huge grin spreading across his face.] I know!

Auberi: [They grab his shoulders, quickly looking him over for any injuries.] Where on earth did you go?!

Hop: [He chuckles, shaking his head as he wipes a stray tear from his eye.] You wouldn’t believe me if I told you!

Blake: Oh my gods, today was crazy, we woke up and there was another you hiding in the bathroom, but he was the same age you were during our Gym Challenge, and he didn’t know any of us! He was from a whole different world and-

[Blake turns, realizing the mysterious boy and his even more mysterious Pokémon were still here. Hop notices, and quickly rushes over to the boy as he begins to explain.]

Hop: Guys, this is Elio and Solgaleo! They’re some of the friends I made on my little… adventure. I wouldn’t have gotten back home if it weren’t for them!

Auberi: [They stare on at Solgaleo in disbelief.] Solgaleo? Like the sun god?

☀️: The one and only! [He proudly runs his hand through the legendary lion’s mane, and it purrs at his touch.] You must be Blake and Auberi? Hop talked a lot about you.

☀️: [Elio leans to whisper something into Hop’s ear.] Why does the pink one look like they can snap a grown man in half? [He then points to Auberi.] And who’s the one with the terrifying looking Zoroark?

Hop: [He bursts out laughing at Elio’s observations.] Oh believe me, they could if they tried. That would be Blake. And that Zoroark is Blanche, she’s Auberi’s.

Auberi: [They give a welcoming smile as they recall Blanche.] Well, it’s nice to meet you, Elio.

Blake: Yeah! Thanks so much for bringing our friend back!

☀️: The pleasure’s mine. Glad we managed to at least sort out one part of this multidimensional mishap! [He turns back towards Hop.] Sol and I better get back now, Selene’s still waiting for us at the tower. Plus, I think I’ll freeze if I stand out here much longer…

Hop: [He chuckles and nods in understanding.] Alright, you go ahead then. Really, I can’t thank you guys enough. For everything.

☀️: [Elio pats him on the shoulder.] No need, I’m happy to help. Plus, handling this kind of stuff is part of the “Solgaleo’s Chosen” job description! [He pops his helmet back on, climbing up onto Solgaleo’s back again.] I’ll go tell Selene the mission was a success.

Hop: [He waves one last time, and gives Solgaleo a pat for good luck.] Okay, safe travels! Thanks again! Tell Shauna, Selene and Calem I said goodbye!

[Solgaleo turns, and with a running start, leaps back into the gateway it came from, closing the wormhole behind it.]

[Once they’re gone, Hop stands and stares at the empty space for a few more seconds, before turning back to his friends.]

Auberi: Did you say Shauna? How’d you run into her? Did you go to Kalos or something?

Hop: [He let’s out a heavy, tired sigh as he rests his arms over his friends shoulders, pulling them along as he began walking.] Er, sort of yes? It’s complicated. I’ll tell you guys everything, but first, I think I’m ready to head back. Traveling through Ultra Space takes it out of you.

[Blake and Auberi share a confused look, but smile anyways as they made their way down the path at Hop’s side.]

Blake: Fair enough. We have a lot to tell you, too.

Auberi: How about we grab dinner on the way back to the hotel?

Hop: Yeah, and then I’m gonna take a thousand year nap on Cloudy’s wool. It was only a day, but I feel like I’ve been gone a week!

Blake: Well make it a quick thousand year nap, there’s still a billion things I’ve gotta talk to you about! Oh, and do you think we could go by the Treasure Eatery? I could use a drink after today.

Auberi: Me too, but I don’t think my wallet could survive that place again. Cheap dollar store wine I have stored in the fridge it is?

Blake: Fine by me.

Hop: [He laughs, letting go to playfully punch both his friends in the arms.] No alcohol for either of you! I don’t have the energy to handle you two drunk off your asses today!

[The trio continues on down the trail, enjoying a now peaceful silence as the day comes to a close. At least, until a question pops into Hop’s head, and he can’t help but ask it.]

Hop: Hey, what do you think even caused this mess in the first place?

Auberi: Beats me…

Blake: I dunno. Maybe some higher being was pulling a really elaborate prank on us?

[The group falls silent for a moment.]

Hop: …Nah, no way.

———

(OOC: that wraps up the Hopverse swap over here! thank you @czv-hops-kalos-arc and @hoppingwooloo for participating in this lil april fools event w/ me, I had lots of fun :D normal posting resumes after this!)

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Meanwhile…]

[Auberi trudged through the snow, grunting and cursing under their breath at the biting cold and harsh terrain. A Hisuian Zoroark followed behind them, keeping alert for any sort of danger.]

Auberi: Damn it, this is worse than the Icelands… this better be worth it… [They look back at their Zoroark.] You holding up okay, Blanche?

[The ghostly Zoroark huffs, far less bothered by the cold than her trainer.]

Auberi: Of course you are, you’re built for this weather…

[The pair finally reach the peak of Glaseado Mountain, the setting sun casting a warm light upon the pale white snow. Auberi pulls their scarf up to protect themself from the howling winds. Not long after, their phone buzzes in their pocket. Picking it up, they see a message displayed on screen.]

[Quartz: Incoming]

[Auberi squints at their screen and shakes their head in confusion.]

Auberi: “Incoming”? What the fuck does that mea-

[They’re abruptly cut off when a loud roar shakes the sky. Their eyes shoot upwards, and they watch as a blue light tears a crack in the sky. Soon, a giant blue dragon pokes its head out.]

[Blanche jumps to her trainer’s side, growling protectively. The dragon slowly emerges further out of the portal. Seated on its back is a girl with ash-black hair, wearing clothing meant to shield against the cold. Her eyes are two different colors- one blue, one violet. She doesn’t seem much younger than Auberi. Upon noticing the girl, Blanche stands down.]

[Auberi just crosses their arms.]

Auberi: Thanks for scaring the shit out of us…

Quartz: [She simply shrugs with a smirk, before patting her dragon’s side and gently instructing it to land. The colossal deity slowly lowers onto the ground, carefully landing on the snow-topped peak.]

Quartz: Sorry if I’m late. Had to make a few preparations.

Auberi: [They smile and shrug.] You’re just in time, actually. So, this big guy can get the kid home?

Quartz: [She soothingly runs her hands along the dragon’s neck.] Not by himself. Dialga only rules over time. We’ll need Palkia’s help if we wanna access the expanse of the multiverse.

Auberi: I… barely understood half of that. Anyways, so Palkia is…?

Quartz: On its way to pick up Hop and Blake by now, I assume. Uh, you might wanna give them a warning before hand- I don’t imagine being snatched up by a mysterious space dragon would be… pleasant.

Auberi: What? Dude, I could’ve just sent a flying taxi to pick them up…

Quartz: Trust me, this is way faster! And it’ll be far less scarier for the two if you give them a heads up.

[Auberi rolls their eyes as they dig out their phone, typing out a message to Blake.]

Auberi: This place is secluded enough, right?

[Quartz slides off Dialga’s back, looking out at the view of Paldea below.]

Quartz: Yep, it’s perfect! Kinda reminds me of Mount Coronet. So where’d you send Blake and tiny Hop off to, anyways?

Auberi: Blake took him to hang out at the academy. I told them to go wait outside Mesagoza for Palkia, is that alright?

Quartz: Er, yeah, lemme just make sure Palkia knows that. [She turns her gaze up to Dialga.] Hey, can you tell Palkia to head to Mesagoza’s outskirts?

[Dialga stares down at his trainer, before turning his head up towards the sky. Then, with a deep inhale, he lets out a roar- one loud enough to make the mountain quake. A blue sound wave ripples across the sky.]

Quartz: That should do it. I think we’ll be all set once they arrive! Now all we do is wait…

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Auberi is sitting at the kitchen counter, staring down at their phone blankly as they sip from a cup of coffee. They hear the door click open, and look up to see Blake entering the room. The pink haired trainer’s eyes look dark and tired.]

Auberi: …Hey.

Blake: [They half-heartedly wave at Auberi.] Hey… Sorry I was out all night… [They look up in the direction of Hop’s room.]

Auberi: He’s still asleep. No sign of our Hop, either.

Blake: [They sigh heavily as they look back towards Auberi.] He won’t answer his phone.

Auberi: He didn’t bring it with him. The phone that… the younger Hop has seems like it’s our Hop’s phone.

Blake: [They huff and run a hand through their hair.] Do you at least think he has his team?

Auberi: [They shake their head.] His Pokémon were on the bedside table where he left them. I don’t know if the little guy has any Pokémon on him at the moment.

[Blake sits down at the counter with Auberi, leaning their arms and head down on the surface.]

Blake: What… What do we do?

Auberi: [They frown, before putting a reassuring hand on Blake’s shoulder.] Look, I… I’ll explain later, but I think I might have a clue of what’s going on. Maybe. I’ll talk to the other Hop once he wakes up, alright?

[Blake stares silently back at Auberi for a few seconds, before turning away. They’re too exhausted to continue questioning them.]

Blake: …Alright.

[pinkhairandpokemon]

Epilogue, Part 1

———

[As soon as the portal closes, the Unown disperse, dissolving into nothingness, almost like they’re returning to whence they came. Wherever that might be.]

[Dialga and Palkia groan tiredly, barely able to hold themselves upright. Quartz lets out a long, heavy sigh as she slides off Dialga’s back, her boots thumping and sinking into the snow.]

[Blake feels their knees grow weak, and can’t stop themself from tumbling backwards.]

Auberi: Well… I guess that means it’s over.

Blake: [They look up towards Quartz.] It worked, right? He’s back home?

Quartz: [She smiles wearily and nods to reassure them.] Yup, he’s back in one piece. Don’t worry.

Blake: [They exhale and finally relax.] That’s good to hear.

[Auberi chuckles as they plop down into the snow next to Blake, just as exhausted.]

Auberi: What a weird day, huh?

Blake: Yeah. But it was fun, to be honest. Definitely brought back a lot of memories... It was kind of crazy to see Hop like that again, felt like I’d gone back in time. He was… still different, in a way, but also just the same as our Hop was- if that makes any sense.

Blake: [Their smile begins to fade as their gaze falls to the ground.] Well, now that he’s home… That just leaves one thing left, then…

Auberi: [They nod, their face turning serious.] How do we get our Hop back?

Blake: [Their voice begins to waver a little.] I guess I was so caught up looking after tiny Hop that I managed to hold it together, but now…

Auberi: Hey, if there was a way to get that Hop back to his world, then there’s a way to get ours back… [They look up to Quartz for confirmation.] …There is a way, right?

[Blake looks to Quartz hopefully, but the Sinnoh champion just frowns, rubbing her arm awkwardly.]

Quartz: Well… Theoretically, yeah. But… [She looks to the two exhausted legendary dragons behind her.] Creating that portal wore Dialga and Palkia out. It’ll be a while before they can do something like that again. And… Sending someone back to their own world is one thing. But finding one specific person… is another. The multiverse is unfathomably huge, it could take weeks- maybe months to find the one specific world your Hop ended up in. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack, to put it simple…

Blake: [They feel their throat begin to tighten as Quartz explains.] …Oh…

Quartz: I’m not saying it’s impossible, but… We just need time. But I promise you, we won’t stop until he’s back home, safe and sound.

Auberi: [They’re silent for a moment before nodding sadly.] I understand, Quartz. Take all the time you need. Thank you for everything you’ve done so far.

[Quartz begins to smile, until Blake suddenly rises to their feet and stomps towards her.]

Blake: No, there isn’t time- We have no clue where Hop is, do you guys not understand that?! He could be anywhere! He could be in danger! [They grip their head as they begin to pace around frantically.] There- There’s gotta be another way! If something bad happens to him, I’d never-

[Auberi gets back up, running over to Blake and grabbing them by the shoulder. They turn Blake around and look the pink haired trainer dead in the eyes.]

Auberi: Blake- Blake, listen to me-

Blake: [They struggle against Auberi’s hold] Auberi, let me go, I-

Auberi: Bee! [Blake stops struggling once they hear Auberi say their nickname.] Look. I know you’re scared. I am too. But we need to keep it together. Otherwise, we’ll never get Hop back. Freaking out isn’t going to bring him back any faster, okay?

Blake: [They listen to Auberi’s words, tears starting to prick through the corners of their eyes.] I… I just… [They hang their head, biting down on their lip.] I don’t wanna lose anyone else. I can’t. Not again. Especially not him…

Auberi: [Hearing Blake’s words, their heart begins to ache. They understand all too well. Waiting around, day by day, just trying to get by- wondering when or if you’d ever see your friends or family again…

Knowing there’s nothing they could say or do to help ease that pain, they simply pull Blake into a tight hug.]

[For a few minutes, Blake doesn’t say anything, staring blankly over Auberi’s shoulder at nothing. Then, they finally begin to break down- clinging to Auberi and sobbing into the fabric of their jacket.]

[Quartz watches the scene with a solemn smile. There almost seems to be a sense of understanding in her eyes. Her gaze falls down to her boots as she whispers to herself.]

Quartz: Never an easy thing to lose someone…

[She closes her eyes, then whirls around to face Dialga and Palkia and cranes her neck back to look up at the colossal legendaries.]

Quartz: Alright you two! We still have a space-time anomaly to sort out. Take a few days off, and then we get back to work, got it?

[Dialga and Palkia seem to groan, and Quartz looks at them sternly.]

Quartz: None of that, we’re not done here until we get to the bottom of this. It’s literally your jobs to fix this kind of stuff!

[Palkia hisses and shakes it’s head, levitating and vanishing through a portal back to his realm. Dialga huffs in his brother’s direction, remaining by Quartz’s side.]

Quartz: Sometimes I can’t tell if they’re gods or just Arceus’ whiny toddlers… [She rolls her eyes as she clambers back onto Dialga, waving farewell to the two trainers below.] I’ll see you two around, I have a region to get back to.

[Blake and Auberi back out of the hug to watch as Dialga lifts off.]

Auberi: You’re going back to Sinnoh already?

Quartz: Don’t worry, I’ll be in touch! I’ll get back to you once Palkia and Dialga are ready to continue the search. Call me if anything happens!

[Dialga roars, and a blue gateway into its realm appears. In the blink of an eye, the girl and her dragon vanish through, closing the portal in an instant.]

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[As Auberi turns the stove on to get breakfast started, they pull their phone out of their pocket. They dial a number and bite their lip as they wait for the other line to pick up.]

Auberi: Come on, please pick up…

[The call is answered almost immediately, and a young woman’s voice can be heard over the phone.]

???: Auberi! About time you called! I haven’t heard anything from you since I rescued you from Hisu-

Auberi: H-hey Quartz, nice to talk to you again. Uh, I have a bit of a… situation over here. It’s urgent.

“Quartz”: Huh? What do you mean?

Auberi: It-it’s a long story, but I need you to bring Dialga here stat. Uh, someone who’s not supposed to be in this world ended up here.

Quartz: …Excuse me?

[Auberi grabs a frying pan and places two pieces of bread in it, before beginning to fry them over the now heated stove.]

Auberi: Look, I know it’s a lot to ask, and I know it might be awkward to hear from me all of a sudden, but please. You’re the only person I could think of that might be able to help sort this out.

Quartz: [She’s heard sighing on the other line.] Auberi, this is really sudden. I can’t just haul my ass over to Paldea right now. I have champion duties to take care of. And besides, just cause I’m Dialga’s trainer doesn’t mean I can fix whatever problem you have.

Auberi: I-I know, but you’re kind of my only option right now… Arc hasn’t spoken to me since I got back. You don’t need to show up right this second, just… whenever you can, please…?

Quartz: …Fine. I have some free time later. I’ll be over there by evening. If I can convince Dialga to take me, that is. He’s pretty stubborn about leaving Sinnoh.

Auberi: [They sigh in relief.] Thank you. I’m sorry for the trouble. I know I owe you a lot. I’ll make up for all this, I promise.

Quartz: Hey, don’t worry about it, ‘kay? I know things have been… weird since we got you back home. I’ll do what I can to help. See you soon.

[Quartz hangs up.]

[pinkhairandpokemon]

Bye Selene! [Hop adjusts his helmet one final time, then waves quickly to Selene as Solgaleo prepares to jump] Thank you all for everything! Good luck getting your Hop back, and please give Shauna and Calem my regards-!

[Solgaleo leaps forwards, and Hop is heard incoherently screaming right before the wormhole closes.]

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Hop chuckles when Solgaleo nudges his palm, and reaches up to pet the legendary’s soft mane. It reminds him of Zamazenta’s fur, except fluffier.]

[When Solgaleo crouches down, he moves to carefully climb onto its back, being mindful to not accidentally kick its side as he listens to Elio. His hand slips a little, but he manages to catch himself and gets on safely.]

Right, no phones, got it. Er- actually, I don’t think this is mine anyway, I think it belongs to the other Hop and I definitely don’t wanna lose his phone in Ultra Space- [He hands the phone to Selene, then steadies himself on the lion’s back, making sure to leave space for Elio to get on.]

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Hop takes the helmet, looking at it for a moment before trying to fit it over his head.] Thank you, I very much would like to keep my head in tact.

[Once he gets the helmet on, he moves a bit hesitantly towards Solgaleo, the legendary lion’s presence leaving him in awe. He tries to find his words as he extends his hand out to it.] Uh, hi there big guy…

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Hop sits on the far side of the room, his back presses against the wall, and his heart running a marathon in his chest. He’s left speechless by the fight that just took place in front of him. Once he hears Selene ask if he’s okay, he looks up at her with wide eyes, but quickly shakes his head to compose himself.]

U-uh… Yeah… [His eyes turn towards the thrashing Nihilego] Is… Is that one of those ultra beasts you were talking about? What is it… doing up here?

[He stumbles as he rises back onto his feet, head still spinning from all the chaos.]

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop

[pinkhairandpokemon]

[Hop is confused as to what they’re looking at, but gasps and freezes when he sees the Nihilego.]

[His eyes wide, he instinctively reaches to grab a Pokeball from his belt, but curses internally when he remembers he doesn’t have his Pokémon.]

Shit…

Am I going crazy or is… is that Lumiose Tower? Why is it in Paldea?

[A photo of Lumiose Tower standing in the distance outside Hop’s window.]

Wait… I don’t… I don’t think this is the hotel room I fell asleep in…

-Hop