"Ugh… Wooloo!!"
As the boy shouts for Wooloo, Dande and I approach. Up close, his resemblance to Dande—especially those golden eyes—is striking.
"You're awake, Hop. Anything hurt?" Dande asks.
"Big Bro…? Why're you here…? Wait, never mind! Wooloo's in trouble! And there was this weird Pokémon… Oh, where's Yuurie!?"
"Calm down, Hop. Wooloo and Yuurie are fine. I don't know about that Pokémon, but everyone's safe."
Hop's frantic words tumble out in a jumble, but Dande patiently soothes him, exuding reliability. Gradually, Hop calms, scanning the area to confirm Wooloo and Yuurie's safety before sighing in relief.
"Thank goodness… everyone's okay."
"Nn… huh? Where…?" Yuurie stirs, waking up.
With Yuurie conscious, everyone's accounted for. Dande explains the situation again, his face radiating relief.
"But why did you two wander into Slumbering Weald?" Dande asks. "I told you it's dangerous."
"Well, uh…" Yuurie falters.
"This morning, Big Bro said Messon and Wooloo were missing," Hop jumps in. "We heard a loud crash and saw the gate to Slumbering Weald broken. I couldn't just wait, so I dragged Yuurie in."
Hop's explanation, slightly protective of Yuurie, shows their close bond. It reminds me of Jun and Koki getting scolded back in the day.
"Sorry, Big Bro!" Hop says.
"Sorry, Dande…" Yuurie adds.
"I'm not mad. Your love for your Pokémon and your courage are admirable. But rely on others sometimes. If he hadn't been here, it could've been worse."
"He…?" Hop glances at me.
"Who's that guy?" Yuurie asks.
Caught off guard—I was lost in memories—I stammer, "Uh, I'm Furia. Glad you're all okay."
"He found Wooloo, Messon, and you two first," Dande explains.
"Really?! I'm Hop. Thanks, Furia!" Hop beams, offering a sunny smile.
"I'm Yuurie. Thank you so much," Yuurie says with a polite bow.
Their contrasting reactions—Hop's enthusiasm and Yuurie's formality—make me chuckle.
"No big deal. Wooloo led me here, so it was just luck."
"Still, you saved us! Thanks!" Hop extends a hand.
His bold yet kind demeanor feels like Jun with a touch of warmth. I smile again, shaking his hand. "Reminds me of an impatient friend. You're welcome."
Hop's grip is warm and strong, like Dande's.
"Now that everyone's safe, let's head to Hallon Town," Dande says.
We nod and move toward the forest's exit. I'm relieved to leave Slumbering Weald, recalling from the map that Hallon Town is south of Brassie Town. (I overshot and got lost… first time I've been this off course.)
The fog and forest were a brutal combo. Yuurie speaks up, "Why were you here, Furia?"
"Yeah, I was wondering that!" Hop adds.
Embarrassed but honest, I explain: I'm from Sinnoh, heading to Brassie Town for a delivery, and got stuck when Snorlax blocked the tracks. The air between us softens, and soon I'm on a first-name basis with Hop and Yuurie, chatting casually.
"So that's why the train stopped," Dande muses. "But why cut through Slumbering Weald?"
"You could've followed the tracks to Brassie Town," Yuurie points out.
"…You're right," I admit, cringing. I'd thought going straight was faster, but the tracks would've been safer. (There was a tunnel, okay?!)
"Hey, you getting lost saved Wooloo, Messon, and us!" Hop grins. "Thanks for that!"
"Not sure that's a compliment, but I'll take it," I reply, my cheek twitching.
Dande and Yuurie's wry smiles suggest Hop's earnestness is pure. No malice, just natural charm. I'm starting to like these three.
But then I recall the Pokémon from earlier. "What were those Pokémon?" I mutter.
"Those Pokémon?" Yuurie catches it.
I describe the cyan and magenta Pokémon. Hop and Yuurie light up—they saw them too. Dande, however, looks puzzled.
"We saw strange Pokémon in the fog," Yuurie says. "Almost unreal."
"Our attacks passed right through them," Hop adds.
"They had no substance!?" I'm stunned, relieved I didn't pick a fight.
"Never heard of Pokémon like that here," Dande says.
"They didn't feel hostile, though," Hop muses. "Maybe they're friendly? What'd you think, Furia?"
"No hostility, but… that pressure was intense. Dangerous if provoked."
Illusory, yet too real to be phantoms. Their nature remains a mystery.
"Maybe they're extraordinary Pokémon," Dande suggests. "Come back stronger, and you might learn more."
"Can't wait!" Hop exclaims. "I'll train to land a hit next time! Right, Yuurie?"
"Yeah, Hop!" Yuurie nods.
"Count me in!" I laugh.
"I'm excited to see your growth," Dande says, as the forest's edge appears.
The sunlight stings after hours of wandering, but I adjust, taking in the view: golden fields where Wooloo frolic, a gentle breeze carrying a nostalgic calm.
"This is Hallon Town," Dande says. "A place of ranches and Pokémon coexistence. Welcome, Furia, and thank you. Galar embraces you."
"Thanks! The air's amazing—such a great place!" I say.
"It's our pride!" Hop boasts. "Where Big Bro, Yuurie, and I grew up."
"My brother too," Yuurie adds. "We all love this town."
Their glowing expressions show their deep love for home. I'd brag too if I lived here.
"Let's get to your goal," Dande says. "You're headed to Brassie Town, right?"
"Yeah, to deliver something to Professor Magnolia."
"We're going there to get Pokédexes," Hop says. "Let's go together!"
"We planned to go this morning, but Wooloo and Messon delayed us," Yuurie adds.
"Sounds great!" I say. Traveling with others beats going alone, as I learned in Sinnoh.
"Good idea," Dande says, "but first, Hop, Yuurie, tell your families. They were worried when you vanished into Slumbering Weald."
"Got it, Big Bro…" Hop sighs.
"Sorry…" Yuurie murmurs.
"Go on, then," Dande urges.
They dash off, eager for their Pokédexes. I smile, remembering that pre-Pokédex excitement.
"Let's head to Brassie Town," Dande says.
"Got it—"
"Hey!" Hop races back.
"What's up?" I ask.
"Forgot to mention—keep an eye on Big Bro."
"Why?"
"He's a legendary directionally challenged. He'll get lost if you let him lead."
"But he guided us out of the forest…"
"Even I was shocked," Hop says.
"Seriously…?"
Dande's reliability takes a hit. Buildings are visible north—Brassie Town isn't far. It'll be fine… right?
"Just don't let him out of your sight," Hop says. "You're not directionally challenged, are you?"
"Nah, I've traveled a whole region. I'm decent with maps, even with impatient friends like Jun."
"Good! Then Big Bro's in your hands. We'll catch up!"
Hop dashes off. Dande and I nod and step forward—I head north, Dande… east.
"Wait!" I grab his arm.
"What's wrong?"
"Brassie Town's direction?"
"North."
"And you're walking…?"
"North?"
"East!"
Dande's confident stride was undeniably eastward. I sigh, redirecting him. Just a one-time mix-up. It happens.
Minutes later, Dande veers west at a right angle.
"Where are you going!?" I ask.
"Brassie Town…"
"Seriously?"
I grab his shoulder. Why turn when it's straight ahead?
"Brassie Town's that way, right?" I point to the visible town.
"Yeah."
"So why turn?"
"I didn't…"
"Seriously?"
Hop wasn't kidding—this is beyond directionally challenged.
"Let's go straight!" I insist. "I'll lead. Follow me."
"Appreciated. I'm terrible with directions," Dande admits.
Dragging my exhausted body, I guide a local to his own region's town.
"Here's Brassie Town, Professor Magnolia's lab," Dande announces.
"Yep…" I reply, drained.
Despite holding hands to keep Dande on track, he tried veering off multiple times. After nearly an hour, we're here. I need a break.
But duty calls. I ring the lab's bell, expecting a stern figure like Professor Rowan. A young woman answers instead—orange hair in a side ponytail, heart-shaped hairpins, green sweater, coat, and blue jeans. More like an older sister than a professor.
"Dande! What's up? Another crazy request?" she teases.
"Hey, Sonia. Just browsing your books, as usual," Dande replies.
"Think of me for once, childhood friend," she groans.
Sonia, not Magnolia, is Dande's friend. I introduce myself: "I'm Furia. Professor Rowan sent me to deliver something to Professor Magnolia."
"You're the Furia Grandma mentioned! I'm Sonia, her assistant—self-proclaimed, anyway. Nice to meet you!"
"Likewise!"
"Come in, you must be tired from Sinnoh," Sonia says.
We enter a bright lab, sunlight streaming through glass walls, vibrant with plants. Towering bookshelves hint at the lab's extensive research.
"Sit on the sofa. I'll get Grandma," Sonia says, heading deeper inside.
As I scan the colorful lab, a small, yellow, four-legged Pokémon nuzzles my leg. "Wanpa!"
I lift it onto my lap. "So cute… fluffy…"
"Wanpa!" It coos as I pet it, easing my fatigue.
Sonia returns. "Grandma's busy, so bring the package to her house on Route 2. Oh, you're already friends with Wanpachi?"
"This is Wanpachi?"
"Yup, my partner."
"So cute… I could cuddle it forever."
"Wan!" Wanpachi agrees.
"It's taken to you," Dande chuckles.
I blush, returning Wanpachi. "Sorry, it's yours!"
"No worries, it had fun," Sonia says.
"Is Wanpachi an Electric-type?" I ask.
"Yup. You're a trainer, right? Don't you have a Pokédex?" Dande asks.
"I do, but it's Sinnoh-only. Galar Pokémon don't register."
"I can update it, along with Hop and Yuurie's," Sonia offers.
"Really? Please!" I hand her my Pokédex, thrilled to finally identify Galar Pokémon properly.
As Sonia starts the update, a laugh echoes: "Kekekeke!"
"Rotom!?" I exclaim.
A Rotom zips around, diving into my Pokédex.
"It's in there…" I mutter.
"Kekekeke!" the Pokédex cackles.
"It likes your Pokédex," Sonia says.
"Is that okay?"
"It's fine," Dande assures. "Rotom-powered devices are common now. It'll help your journey."
"I've got a Rotom Phone," Sonia adds, showing hers zooming around.
If they're okay with it, maybe it's cool. (Something to brag about to Jun!) I'm getting excited.
"I'll finish the update," Sonia says.
"Let's wait for Hop and Yuurie," Dande suggests. "Tell me about Sinnoh and your Pokémon."
"I want to hear about Galar and your Pokémon!" I reply.
"Wait, I want in on the Sinnoh talk!" Sonia yells, sprinting off. "Twenty seconds, I'll be back!"
Dande and I laugh. True to her word, Sonia returns in exactly twenty seconds, and we chat, eagerly awaiting Hop and Yuurie.